A projectile is fired vertically from the surface of the Earth at 8 km/s. The projectile will
A) go into circular orbit about the Earth.
B) escape from the Earth.
C) rise and fall back to the Earth's surface.
D) follow an uncertain path.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of 8 km/s is less than the Earth's escape velocity (approximately 11.2 km/s), so the projectile will rise and then fall back to the Earth's surface.

A Projectile Is Fired Vertically from the Surface of the Earth