Question 1

What is escape velocity?

Accepted Answer

The minimum speed to escape a celestial body's gravity. Earth: 11.2 km/s. Moon: 2.4 km/s. Sun: 617 km/s.

Question 2

Why doesn't direction matter for escape velocity?

Accepted Answer

Escape velocity is a speed threshold. Once reached (in any direction), kinetic energy exceeds gravitational potential energy.

Question 3

What's the fastest speed possible?

Accepted Answer

The speed of light (299,792,458 m/s or about 670 million mph) is the universal speed limit. Nothing with mass can reach it.

Question 4

Why do pilots and sailors use knots?

Accepted Answer

One knot = one nautical mile per hour. Nautical miles relate directly to Earth's latitude (1 nm = 1 minute of latitude), simplifying navigation.

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