Question

In February 2013, a 10,000 ton meteor entered the atmosphere near the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia. Analysis of the trajectory showed that the meteor was traveling at a speed of 17.5 km/s at an angle of 17.7o below horizontal, when it was at a height of 77.9 km. Fortunately the meteor exploded high in the atmosphere, where most of its energy was dissipated.

(a) Had the meteor not exploded, and ignoring air resistance, how long would it have taken for the meteor to hit the ground from its 77.9-km height?

(b) With the same assumptions as in part (a), how far in horizontal distance would the meteor have traveled from its initial location to when it hit the ground?

(c) Just before striking the ground, what would have been the meteor’s total velocity? (You may give your answer in either speed-angle or x,y component form.)

Answer 1