Asteroid Binding Energy: E=mv^2?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of binding energy, specifically questioning whether the formula e=mv^2 can be applied to asteroids in the same way as e=mc^2 applies to nuclear binding energy. It is established that binding energy varies by type, including gravitational, nuclear, and chemical. The participants clarify that gravitational binding energy is relevant for asteroids, especially in the context of assessing whether a bomb could effectively disrupt an asteroid's trajectory. A key takeaway is that detonating an asteroid would not eliminate its kinetic energy, but rather disperse its mass, potentially reducing impact risk.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of binding energy concepts, including gravitational binding energy
  • Familiarity with Einstein's mass-energy equivalence formula E=mc^2
  • Basic knowledge of kinetic energy and its implications in astrophysics
  • Awareness of the different types of energy (gravitational, nuclear, chemical)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research gravitational binding energy calculations for asteroids
  • Study the implications of kinetic energy in asteroid deflection strategies
  • Examine Phil Plait's articles on asteroid impact mitigation techniques
  • Explore the differences between nuclear and gravitational binding energy
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, planetary defense researchers, and anyone involved in asteroid impact assessment and mitigation strategies.

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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