- #1
cosmicmonk
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Hey guys! Can anyone tell me how to calculate the force of air friction on meteor that's going to impact
Calculating Air Friction on Meteor Impacting Earth
In summary, calculating the force of air friction on a meteor that is going to impact is a complex problem that requires making assumptions and understanding the components of drag. It is difficult to determine an exact answer due to factors such as speed, altitude, and ablation. Visous drag is usually the smallest component in such cases, making it the main focus when calculating the force of air friction.
- #2
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This is actually a very difficult and effectively impossible problem to solve generally. You could make some assumptions to make it more tractable, though. For example assume the meterorite is spherical and smooth.
You'd also have a dramatically different answer depending on the speed and altitude and there is also the complcation that the surface will ablate, so the meteorite is changing size as it descends, plus the products of that ablation affect the problem. You'd have to assume that chemistry is negligible in order to solve this without a supercomputer.
Finally, you have to learn a thing or two about drag as a whole first. Drag has three main components at that speed: form drag (due to pressure differences in front and behind), wave drag (due to supersonic flow), and viscous drag (friction). Viscous drag is quite possibly the smallest component in most cases like this. Is viscous drag really the only part you care about?
In other words, this is a remarkably complex and rich problem and it doesn't really admit a simple answer.
You'd also have a dramatically different answer depending on the speed and altitude and there is also the complcation that the surface will ablate, so the meteorite is changing size as it descends, plus the products of that ablation affect the problem. You'd have to assume that chemistry is negligible in order to solve this without a supercomputer.
Finally, you have to learn a thing or two about drag as a whole first. Drag has three main components at that speed: form drag (due to pressure differences in front and behind), wave drag (due to supersonic flow), and viscous drag (friction). Viscous drag is quite possibly the smallest component in most cases like this. Is viscous drag really the only part you care about?
In other words, this is a remarkably complex and rich problem and it doesn't really admit a simple answer.
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- #3
1. How can I calculate the air friction on a meteor impacting Earth?
To calculate the air friction on a meteor, you will need to know the meteor's mass, velocity, and cross-sectional area. Then, you can use the formula F = 0.5 * ρ * v^2 * A * Cd, where F is the air friction force, ρ is the density of air, v is the velocity of the meteor, A is the cross-sectional area, and Cd is the drag coefficient.
2. What is the role of air friction in a meteor impact?
Air friction, also known as air resistance or drag, plays a significant role in slowing down the speed of a meteor as it enters Earth's atmosphere. This helps to reduce the impact force and limit the damage caused by the meteor.
3. How does the shape of a meteor affect air friction?
The shape of a meteor can greatly impact the amount of air friction it experiences. A streamlined, aerodynamic shape will have a lower drag coefficient and therefore experience less air friction compared to a flat or irregularly shaped meteor.
4. Can air friction be completely eliminated during a meteor impact?
No, it is not possible to completely eliminate air friction during a meteor impact. Even if the meteor is extremely dense and has a high mass, it will still experience some amount of air resistance as it travels through the atmosphere.
5. How does the density of the atmosphere affect air friction on a meteor?
The density of the atmosphere plays a significant role in determining the amount of air friction on a meteor. A denser atmosphere will result in higher air friction, while a thinner atmosphere will result in lower air friction. This is because there are more air molecules present in a denser atmosphere, creating more resistance for the meteor to overcome.
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