Calculate Rate of Disintegration of Projectile

In summary: Obviously thermal conductivity comes to play a very large role here but even if the conductivity high is would it effect disintegration in the first (maybe few) second(s) at some non-negligible amount?In summary, the object will lose a significant amount of mass before it completely disintegrates.
  • #1
Skyler0114
22
0
I was thinking about meteorioids and how upon their entry into the atmosphere the large amount of disintegration they experience so i wanted to try running through a calculation of something similar to see if i could i understand it better. I'm going to outline a general thought process I've come up with then ask a specific case.
Ignoring gravity or the existence of a floor for now because of the complications that would cause.

General:
Lets say we have a [insert size and mass/density here] [insert shape name here] of [insert material here] [falls apart/does not fall apart] and we fire it at [insert velocity here].
Question:
How [long or far] will it travel before the object fully disintegrates?
OR
How [much mass/volume] is lost before the object stops disintegrating.

Example:
Lets say we have a 1 meter radius sphere of iron (density 7.874 g·cm−3) in 1 atm air. We assume it does not fall apart or explode in it's transit. We fire it at 100 km/s, how much mass does the object lose in its transit.
 
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  • #2
Not a simple problem. The interactions between the projectile and the air as it is traveling at hypervelocity do not lend themselves, IMO, to analysis by a couple of simple formulas.
 
  • #3
SteamKing said:
Not a simple problem. The interactions between the projectile and the air as it is traveling at hypervelocity do not lend themselves, IMO, to analysis by a couple of simple formulas.

Im not really interested in a simple formula as much as trying to piece together information to come up with more information and more formulas. I'm interested in the journey for this calculation, not so much the end product.

As more variables are introduced I want to see what you have to consider and what doesn't matter.
 
  • #4
Skyler0114 said:
Im not really interested in a simple formula as much as trying to piece together information to come up with more information and more formulas. I'm interested in the journey for this calculation, not so much the end product.

As more variables are introduced I want to see what you have to consider and what doesn't matter.

If you're thinking about meteorites hitting the earth...
You could start by assuming that the entire kinetic energy of the projectile is converted into heat. That's a pretty good approximation for the total energy released.
 
  • #5
Nugatory said:
If you're thinking about meteorites hitting the earth...
You could start by assuming that the entire kinetic energy of the projectile is converted into heat. That's a pretty good approximation for the total energy released.

I was more interested in learning about the rate of disintegration, distances traveled, heats experienced, and just about different factors that need to be considered and how each of them would likely be playing out as per the relevant formulas .
 
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  • #6
What fates may befall the material? Combustion, evaporation, thermal cracking, explosion... Rate of heating will matter, since rapid external heating would create greater stresses. Conductivity. Spin?
 
  • #7
haruspex said:
What fates may befall the material? Combustion, evaporation, thermal cracking, explosion... Rate of heating will matter, since rapid external heating would create greater stresses. Conductivity. Spin?

For now let's assume the particle does not fracture into macroscopic fragments. Should a fate like that befall it then instead the methodology we create here can instead be reapplied for the fragments in question (with a lot of new variables that is).

How would one be able to determine the heat gained from air friction?

Also how would one be able to determine the transfer of heat into the "cooler" center of the sphere?

Obviously thermal conductivity comes to play a very large role here but even if the conductivity high is would it effect disintegration in the first (maybe few) second(s) at some non-negligible amount?
 
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1. What is the rate of disintegration of a projectile?

The rate of disintegration of a projectile refers to the speed at which a projectile breaks apart or falls apart into smaller pieces. It is usually measured in units of disintegrations per second.

2. How is the rate of disintegration of a projectile calculated?

The rate of disintegration of a projectile can be calculated by dividing the total number of disintegrations by the time it takes for those disintegrations to occur. This can be measured using specialized equipment such as a Geiger counter.

3. What factors can affect the rate of disintegration of a projectile?

The rate of disintegration of a projectile can be affected by various factors, including the type of material the projectile is made of, the force of impact, and the environment in which the projectile is traveling through. Other factors such as temperature, humidity, and air resistance can also play a role.

4. Why is it important to calculate the rate of disintegration of a projectile?

Calculating the rate of disintegration of a projectile is important for understanding the properties and behavior of different materials. It can also provide valuable information for designing and testing equipment and structures that may come into contact with projectiles, such as armor or protective barriers.

5. Are there any safety precautions to consider when calculating the rate of disintegration of a projectile?

Yes, it is important to take proper safety precautions when conducting experiments involving projectiles and measuring their rate of disintegration. This may include wearing protective gear and following proper handling and disposal procedures for any potentially hazardous materials.

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