Calculating Maximum Crater Diameter for an Asteroid Impact

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To calculate the maximum crater diameter from a 500km asteroid with a density of 3.5 g/cm³ and an impact velocity of 5 km/sec, the kinetic energy must be compared to the product of mass and impact strength. The calculated kinetic energy is approximately 2.875 x 10^27 Joules, while the mass multiplied by the impact strength is significantly lower, indicating that the asteroid will not melt upon impact. The crater diameter is proportional to the cube root of the energy, but accurate calculations require knowledge of the impacted body's material strength. The discussion highlights confusion over the parameters needed for a precise crater diameter calculation, emphasizing the need for additional information about the impacted surface. Understanding these relationships is crucial for determining the maximum crater size without melting the asteroid.
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An asteroid with a diameter of 500km has an impact strength of 4000J/kg. What is the largest sized crater diameter which can be formed without melting the asteroid? The asteroid has a density of 3.5 g/cm^3 and the impact velocity is 5km/sec


I have a few formulas:


The asteroid will not melt if: kinetic energy < mass* impact strength

and, crater diameter is proportional to W^(1/3)


I have no information about the body being impacted so I don't know if I can use the formula for crater diameter as it requires information about the material strength of the body being impacted for an accurate answer.

I approximated the asteroid as a sphere (as I was given a diameter) and calculated the mass and the kinetic energy which I got to be : 2.875*10^27 Joules. However, the mass* impact strength is four orders of magnitude less.


I guess I'm not entirely sure how to approach this problem. Any suggestions?
 
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I do not understand the question. It specifies the radius, density and impact velocity, yet asks for a maximum wrt … what? What other parameter can be varied that affects the impact?
 
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