escape velocity

• Vitesse minimale qu'un objet doit atteindre pour échapper à l'attraction gravitationnelle d'un corps céleste sans propulsion supplémentaire ; également employé métaphoriquement pour décrire le point critique d'élan ou d'indépendance à atteindre.

The minimum speed needed for an object to break free from the gravitational pull of a celestial body without further propulsion; also used metaphorically to describe reaching a critical point of momentum or independence.

1. Physics conceptC1formal

   The minimum speed an object needs to break free from a celestial body's gravitational pull without further propulsion.

   vitesse de libération

   • The escape velocity from Earth is about 11.2 kilometers per second.
   • Rockets must reach escape velocity to enter outer space.
   • Calculating escape velocity depends on the mass and radius of the planet.

2. Metaphorical usageB2informal

   The critical point or speed needed to break away from a limiting situation, routine, or system.

   vitesse de libération

   • The startup finally reached its escape velocity and became profitable.
   • She felt she needed to achieve escape velocity from her boring job.
   • The project gained enough momentum to reach escape velocity and succeed.