Solving for Meteor's Speed: Unknown Speed!

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the speed of a meteor that has crashed into the Earth's surface, given its mass, depth of penetration, and the resistance force from the ground. The context is rooted in mechanics, specifically dealing with concepts of work, energy, and forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate the meteor's speed to the work done by the resistance force and considers using potential and kinetic energy equations. Some participants question the understanding of force, distance, and work relationships.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with one providing a calculation attempt based on work-energy principles. There is a note of caution regarding unit consistency, indicating an ongoing exploration of the problem's setup.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has modified values for the problem and is working under the assumption that air friction can be ignored. There is also a noted lack of height information for potential energy calculations.

DaxInvader
Unknown Speed!

Hi all, I've got this problem in my physics class I can't figure it out. Iv'e changed the values because I only wan't to know How we can solve this..

Here it goes:

I have a 400 g (3,29 N) Meteor that crashed in the Earth surface and reach a depth of 1.7 m . The scientist say that the ground had a resistance force of 1,0 x 10^6 N.

(We ignore the air's friction.)

What was the meteor's speed?


It's all I've got.

Iv'e done a graphic on paper whit vectors But I don't quite get the methos of doing it.

Else.. I tried Caluculating the potiential energy (Ep = mgh) but I don't have the height.. Neither de speed for the Kinetic energy (Ek = 1/2 m v^2)

Bah.. Help me out! :P:P
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you understand the relationship between force, distance, and work?

W = F*d

- Warren
 
OHHH ! nevermind.. I get it!I will start working on it.
 
Here is what I have done:

W= Fr * Delta Sr
W= 1000000 N * 1,7 m
W= 1700000 J

Ek = 1/2 * m * v^2
1700000 j = 0.5 * 3,29 N * v^2
1033434,65 j = v^2
1016,58 m/s = V

Meteor's speed is 1016,58 m/s
 
Be careful with your units. Mass should be in kilograms, not in Newtons. Otherwise, yes, you have the right idea.

- Warren
 

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