Meteors heated not by friction?

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In summary, according to an article from space.com, meteors are not heated by friction when they enter the Earth's atmosphere. This is because air friction is a fluid drag that only affects the surface of the body, while ram air pressure is the force of hitting air molecules at high speeds. Some may claim that this is a "spooky" explanation, but it is actually based on sound physics.
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  • #2
It's a more correct statement
Air friction is strictly fluid drag where there is an interaction between the air and the surface of the body - and so the 'stickiness' of the airstream to the body matters.
Ram air pressure is just hitting the air molecules in front of you at high speed - it's still what you would think of as 'friction' in common terms.
 
  • #3
That claim is absurd, Try science, not fiction. The physics behind meteors is sound. No need for 'spooky' physics.
 

What causes meteors to heat up?

Meteors heat up due to the intense friction they experience as they enter Earth's atmosphere at high speeds.

Are all meteors heated by friction?

No, there are some meteors that are heated by sources other than friction. These could include solar radiation or chemical reactions within the meteor itself.

How hot can meteors get during entry into Earth's atmosphere?

Meteors can reach temperatures of over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit as they encounter friction during their descent into Earth's atmosphere.

Do all meteors burn up completely during entry into Earth's atmosphere?

No, some larger meteors may not completely disintegrate and can leave fragments that reach the Earth's surface as meteorites.

Can meteors be heated by other sources after entering the atmosphere?

After entering the atmosphere, meteors can also be heated by the infrared radiation from the Earth's surface, which can contribute to their visible glow as they streak across the sky.

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