B Asteroid Binding Energy: E=mv^2?

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The discussion centers on the concept of binding energy, questioning whether the equation e=mv^2 can be applied to asteroids in the same way as e=mc^2 is used in nuclear physics. It clarifies that mass deficit is relevant in nuclear binding energy but not directly applicable to asteroids. Participants also explore the types of binding energy, specifically gravitational binding energy, and its implications for asteroid destruction. The feasibility of using a bomb to destroy an asteroid is debated, noting that while a bomb's energy can be compared to the asteroid's binding energy, it won't eliminate the asteroid's kinetic energy. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the complexity of applying physics analogies and the negligible contribution of binding energy to an asteroid's mass.
Tris Fray Potter
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If the binding energy in nuclear physics is e=mc^2, then would the binding energy of a larger object be:
e=mv^2
where v=the velocity of the asteroid?
 
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In the binding energy equation the m is the mass deficit ... does the concept of mass deficit apply to the asteroid?
In the asteroid equation, v is the speed of the asteroid; in the binding energy, the speed "c" appears in the same place... does that mean that the nucleus is moving at the speed of light?
In short: no. You cannot do physics by analogy.
 
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Simon Bridge said:
In the binding energy equation the m is the mass deficit ... does the concept of mass deficit apply to the asteroid?
In the binding energy, the speed "c" appears ... does that mean that the nucleus is moving at the speed of light?
In short: no. You cannot do physics by analogy.
Okay. Thank-you. Do you know how I would be able to find the binding energy of the asteroid?
 
Tris Fray Potter said:
Okay. Thank-you. Do you know how I would be able to find the binding energy of the asteroid?

There are several types of binding energy. Which one are you looking for? Gravitational? Nuclear? Chemical?
 
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Drakkith said:
There are several types of binding energy. Which one are you looking for? Gravitational? Nuclear? Chemical?
I think gravitational. I need to know if a bomb would explode an asteroid or not, and I was going to do a comparison on the energy of the bomb (which I've already figured out), to the binding energy of the asteroid.
 
Note that the binding energy of an asteroid also contributes to its mass via E=mc2 as every energy in the rest frame does, but the contribution is completely negligible.
 
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... if the idea is to destroy the asteroid before it arrives at some target, detonating it won't remove it's kinetic energy (though distributing the bits over a big volume can reduce the amount of mass that strikes the target. Phil Plait has an artical about it.
 
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