Meteor Hits Satellite: Motion Effects of Impact

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Himal kharel
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SUMMARY

When a meteor collides with a satellite, both bodies experience a change in motion due to the deflection from their original paths. This scenario can be likened to an inelastic collision, similar to two billiard balls colliding. In such a collision, the total momentum after the impact equals the sum of the momenta before the collision. This principle allows for the calculation of the kinetic energy converted to heat energy during the impact.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of inelastic collisions
  • Familiarity with momentum conservation principles
  • Basic knowledge of kinetic energy calculations
  • Concept of heat energy conversion during collisions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study inelastic collision equations and their applications
  • Explore momentum conservation in two-body systems
  • Research kinetic energy transformations in collisions
  • Investigate real-world examples of satellite impacts and their effects
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, physicists, and students studying mechanics and collision dynamics will benefit from this discussion.

Himal kharel
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when a meteor hits a satellite what will happen to its motion
 
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The satellite will be deflected from its original path...and so will the meteor...

you can think of two billard balls colliding...or... rotating one billard ball on a string in a circular motion and whacking it with another billard ball...
 
If the meteor and the satellite stick together (inelastic collision) following the collision, then the total momentum of the two following the collision will equal the sum of the two momenta prior to the collision. You can use this fact to calculate the amount of the total initial kinetic energy converted to heat energy during the collision.
 

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