Meteor Passing a Planet. Sample UC Berkeley Final question

In summary, the problem involves a meteor approaching a planet with mass M and radius R at a given speed. The goal is to find the distance b in terms of the given quantities and the gravitational constant G, taking into account the effects of gravity. The suggested approach is to use conservation of energy, but there is another conserved quantity that should also be considered.
  • #1
berzerkeley
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Homework Statement



A meteor is approaching a planet of mass M and radius R with speed while it is far away. If there were
no gravity, it would miss the center of the planet by a distance b. Gravity makes the meteor barely graze
the planets surface as it passes. Find in terms of other given quantities and gravitational constant G.

Homework Equations



Force of Gravity=GMm/r^2
Gravitational Potential Energy=-GMm/r

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried work and energy
I also tried an acceleration method
but I really have no idea
 
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  • #2
What is the question?

It is a good idea to use conservation of energy, but there is an other quantity conserved during planetary motion.

ehild
 

1. What is a meteor passing a planet?

A meteor passing a planet refers to a small piece of debris or rock that enters the atmosphere of a planet and burns up due to friction, creating a streak of light in the sky. It is also known as a shooting star.

2. How often do meteors pass by planets?

Meteors pass by planets frequently, with an estimated 100 tons of material falling to Earth every day. However, not all of these meteors are visible as they may burn up in the atmosphere or fall in unpopulated areas.

3. What causes a meteor to pass a planet?

Meteors are typically debris left behind by comets or asteroids. When these objects orbit close to a planet, their debris can enter the planet's atmosphere and cause a meteor to pass by. Some meteors can also be caused by man-made objects, such as space junk.

4. Is it dangerous for a meteor to pass a planet?

In most cases, meteors passing by planets are not dangerous. The majority of them burn up in the atmosphere before reaching the surface. However, larger meteors can potentially cause damage if they make it to the ground. Scientists are constantly monitoring for any potential threats and ways to mitigate their impact.

5. How do scientists study and track meteors passing by planets?

Scientists use various methods to study and track meteors passing by planets. This includes using telescopes to observe their trajectory, analyzing data from meteor showers, and collecting samples from meteorites that have landed on Earth. NASA also has programs in place to track and detect potential impact events with Earth.

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