The discussion revolves around calculating the angular momentum of an asteroid impacting a planet. The problem involves parameters such as the mass and velocity of the asteroid, the radius of the planet, and the angle of the asteroid's velocity vector relative to the horizontal.
The discussion is active, with participants clarifying the correct interpretation of the angle in the context of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the angle to use in the calculations, indicating a productive direction in the conversation.
There is a noted lack of information about the planet's characteristics and the specific problem statement initially, which may affect the clarity of the discussion.
You have not told us the question, or anything we need to know about the planet. Please post the full statement of the problem.lizzyb said:A planet is hit by an asteroid whose mass is M, velocity v, and it's velocity vector is 22 degrees below the Eastward horizontal. The planet has a radius R.
I used the equation [tex]l = r m v sin \phi[/tex] but the answer was wrong. Am I not doing this correctly?
That angle theta is not the angle theta in your problem! That angle theta is the angle between the linear momentum (mv) and the radius vector (r). But in your problem, theta is the angle between linear momentum and the perpendicular to the radius (east is tangent to the Earth's surface).lizzyb said:It's in my book; "The direction of the angular momentum vector in [a figure] is parallel to the z axis, in the direction of increasing z. The magnitude of this vector is given by [tex]l = r m v \sin \theta[/tex]."