Question

The key to making a concise mathematical definition of escape velocity is to consider the energy. If an object is launched at its escape velocity, what is the total mechanical energy Etotal of the object at a very large (i.e., infinite) distance from the planet? Follow the usual convention and take the gravitational potential energy to be zero at very large distances?

Answer 1

The total Mechanical energy will be zero

Explanation: Escape velocity is the velocity required by a free object in order to overcome the impact of the force of gravity. The total mechanical energy of an object is the total energy possessed by an object which includes its kinectic and potential energy.

since the object is moving at an escape velocity which is 11.2m/s the object will be assumed to be weightless

Etotal = kinetic energy + potential energy

kinetic energy= 1/2*M*V*V

Potential energy=MGH

Etotal=1/2*0*11.2*11.2+0*0*0

Etotal=0+0

Etotal=0.