1. The escape velocity from a massive object is the speed needed to reach an infinite distance from it and have just slowed to a stop, that is, to have just enough kinetic energy to climb out of the gravitational potential well and have none left. You can find the escape velocity by equating the total kinetic and gravitational potential energy to zero. a. In the atmosphere of a planet or large satellite the hot molecules or atoms may be moving fast enough to escape the gravitational potential well that confines the atmosphere to the planet. Why does hydrogen escape more easily than carbon dioxide? b. consider the Earth and its atmosphere of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide molecules. At a temperature of 300 K and above the Earth's surface near the edge of "space" ( roughly 100 km up), compare the mean speed of these molecules with the escape velocity from Earth's gravity. Are there any molecules out there that can escape? Explain your answer considering the Maxwell distribution of speeds. c.
1. The escape velocity from a massive object is the speed needed to reach an infinite distance from it and have just slowed to a stop, that is, to have just enough kinetic energy to climb out of the gravitational potential well and have none left. You can find the escape velocity by equating the total kinetic and gravitational potential energy to zero.
a. In the atmosphere of a planet or large satellite the hot molecules or atoms may be moving fast enough to escape the gravitational potential well that confines the atmosphere to the planet. Why does hydrogen escape more easily than carbon dioxide?
b. consider the Earth and its atmosphere of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide molecules. At a temperature of 300 K and above the Earth's surface near the edge of "space" ( roughly 100 km up), compare the mean speed of these molecules with the escape velocity from Earth's gravity. Are there any molecules out there that can escape? Explain your answer considering the Maxwell distribution of speeds.
c.
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