Cosmic Velocity - First to Centimeter per Hour

The first cosmic velocity (escape velocity from Earth's surface to orbit) is approximately 7,900 m/s (7.9 km/s), the minimum speed needed to achieve Earth orbit.

v₁ = √(GM/r) where G is gravitational constant, M is Earth's mass, r is Earth's radius. Approximately 7.9 km/s.

To km/h: × 3,600. To mph: × 17,672. 7.9 km/s = 28,440 km/h = 17,672 mph.

Minimum speed for satellites, space station orbit, and low Earth orbit (LEO) calculations.

ISS orbits at ~7.66 km/s. Below this speed, you fall back to Earth. Above it, you stay in orbit (if horizontal).

Confusing with escape velocity (second cosmic velocity, 11.2 km/s) — orbital velocity is lower.

Remember: ~8 km/s for orbit, ~11 km/s to escape. v₁ is minimum for orbit, not escape.

Centimeter per hour measures very slow movements in centimeters over an hour. Used for extremely gradual processes.

1 cm/h = 0.01 m/h = 0.00001 km/h = 0.00000278 m/s. Extremely small speed unit.

To m/s: ÷ 360,000. To m/h: × 0.01. To mm/h: × 10.

Very slow geological processes, material expansion/contraction measurements, and some biological growth studies.

Human nail growth: ~0.01 cm/h. Stalagmite formation: ~0.001 cm/h. Some coral growth: 0.1 cm/h.

Using for anything except very slow processes. Confusing with cm/min or cm/s.

100 cm/h = 1 m/h. Primarily a scientific measurement unit. Not for everyday use.