Assume that an enough large asteroid (m = 30,000 kg) coming from the deep space (out of our galaxy so assume at infinity) with a velocity 15 km/s travels through our solar system. When it approaches the Earth, the scientists say that it would be attracted by the Earth and then would impact her. So we would like to research the impact of the asteroid if it hits to our planet. (The Earth radius: RE = 6.4x10° m, and the Earth mass: MĘ = 6.0x104 kg.) a) Write expressions for the initial mechanical energy of the asteroid and the final mechanical energy of the asteroid as it reaches the earth's surface. Do not plug in numbers for this first step. b) What would be the kinetic energy of the asteroid as it reaches the earth? c) What would be the speed of the asteroid as it reaches the earth? d) Now, assume that the asteroid makes a totally inelastic collision with the Earth, i.e., the asteroid embeds itself in the earth's surface. Find the final velocity of the earth, assuming it was at rest initially. e) How much energy would be released in this collision? (Note: a ton of TNT is 4.1x10° J)

University Physics Volume 1
18th Edition
ISBN:9781938168277
Author:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Chapter13: Gravitation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 84CP: Show that the period of orbit for two masses, m1 and m2 , in circular orbits of radii r1 and r2 ,...
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Assume that an enough large asteroid (m = 30,000 kg) coming from the deep space (out of our
galaxy so assume at infinity) with a velocity 15 km/s travels through our solar system. When it
approaches the Earth, the scientists say that it would be attracted by the Earth and then would
impact her. So we would like to research the impact of the asteroid if it hits to our planet. (The Earth
radius: RE = 6.4x10° m, and the Earth mass: MĘ = 6.0x104 kg.)
a) Write expressions for the initial mechanical energy of the asteroid and the final mechanical
energy of the asteroid as it reaches the earth's surface. Do not plug in numbers for this first
step.
b) What would be the kinetic energy of the asteroid as it reaches the earth?
c) What would be the speed of the asteroid as it reaches the earth?
d) Now, assume that the asteroid makes a totally inelastic collision with the Earth, i.e., the
asteroid embeds itself in the earth's surface. Find the final velocity of the earth, assuming it
was at rest initially.
e) How much energy would be released in this collision? (Note: a ton of TNT is 4.1x10° J)
Transcribed Image Text:Assume that an enough large asteroid (m = 30,000 kg) coming from the deep space (out of our galaxy so assume at infinity) with a velocity 15 km/s travels through our solar system. When it approaches the Earth, the scientists say that it would be attracted by the Earth and then would impact her. So we would like to research the impact of the asteroid if it hits to our planet. (The Earth radius: RE = 6.4x10° m, and the Earth mass: MĘ = 6.0x104 kg.) a) Write expressions for the initial mechanical energy of the asteroid and the final mechanical energy of the asteroid as it reaches the earth's surface. Do not plug in numbers for this first step. b) What would be the kinetic energy of the asteroid as it reaches the earth? c) What would be the speed of the asteroid as it reaches the earth? d) Now, assume that the asteroid makes a totally inelastic collision with the Earth, i.e., the asteroid embeds itself in the earth's surface. Find the final velocity of the earth, assuming it was at rest initially. e) How much energy would be released in this collision? (Note: a ton of TNT is 4.1x10° J)
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