Is it possible to truly escape Earth's gravitational pull?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nfong
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravity
AI Thread Summary
Escaping Earth's gravitational pull is technically impossible as gravity extends infinitely, meaning you are always attracted to Earth regardless of distance. However, "escape" refers to the ability to reach a point where you won't be pulled back by Earth's gravity. This requires a specific amount of energy, known as escape velocity, to overcome gravitational forces. Achieving this energy allows spacecraft to leave Earth's influence and enter space. Understanding this distinction clarifies the concept of escaping gravity.
nfong
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Is it ever really possible to escape Earth's gravity? Technically speaking, no matter how far you are from earth, won't you still be attracted to it?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
You're right that no matter how far away you'll always still be attracted to the earth.
That's not what 'escape' means however. "Escape" just means that you will never be pulled back to the Earth by its gravitational force. This criteria can be translated to a certain amount of energy that you must have.
 
Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
This thread is dedicated to the beauty and awesomeness of our Universe. If you feel like it, please share video clips and photos (or nice animations) of space and objects in space in this thread. Your posts, clips and photos may by all means include scientific information; that does not make it less beautiful to me (n.b. the posts must of course comply with the PF guidelines, i.e. regarding science, only mainstream science is allowed, fringe/pseudoscience is not allowed). n.b. I start this...

Similar threads

Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Back
Top