General Conservation of Momentum Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a conservation of momentum problem involving a meteor with a mass of 108 kg colliding with Earth (mass = 6.0 x 1024 kg) at a speed of 15 km/s. The Earth's recoil speed is calculated to be 2.5 x 10-12 m/s. To determine the fraction of the meteor's kinetic energy (KE) transformed into the Earth's KE, participants are guided to calculate the initial KE of the meteor and the resulting KE of the Earth post-collision. The collision is identified as inelastic due to the meteor coming to rest within the Earth.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum principles
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy calculations
  • Familiarity with inelastic collision concepts
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the initial kinetic energy of the meteor using KE = 0.5 * m * v2
  • Determine the kinetic energy of the Earth after the collision
  • Calculate the fraction of the meteor's KE transformed into the Earth's KE
  • Explore examples of inelastic collisions in physics
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Students and educators in physics, particularly those studying momentum and energy conservation principles, as well as anyone interested in real-world applications of collision theory.

pinkerpikachu
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A meteor whose mass was about 10^8 kg struck the Earth (m = 6.0 X 10^24) with a speed of about 15 km/s and came to rest in the earth. A) what was the Earth's recoil speed? B) what fraction of the meteor's KE was transformed into KE of the earth? C) By how much did the Earth's KE change as a result of this collison.


I know how to figure out part A. m1v1/m2 = v2 = 2.5 X 10^-12

A little guidance on B and C please?
 
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For part B: You know the meteor's initial KE. What is that of the earth's? You know mass of earth, and velocity of earth-meteor, so you should be able to find KE of earth. There you can find the fraction.

An additional question: Does this answer make sense? If yes, why, if not, why? What type of collision is this (elastic, inelastic, etc.)?
 

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