Spacecraft Deep Impact - Comet's mass

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on calculating the mass of Comet Tempel 1 and the distance debris travels after losing 70% of its initial kinetic energy following the Deep Impact mission. The escape speed for the comet is derived using the formula V=sqrt((2GM)/r), where G is the gravitational constant and M is the mass of the comet. The initial kinetic energy of the debris, which escapes at a speed of 1.0 m/s, is crucial for determining the distance traveled after energy loss. The calculations require a clear understanding of gravitational physics and energy conservation principles.

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treverd
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Homework Statement



On July 4, 2005, the NASA spacecraft Deep Impact fired a projectile onto the surface of Comet Tempel 1. This comet is about 9.0 {\rm km} across. Observations of surface debris released by the impact showed that dust with a speed as low as 1.0 {\rm m/s} was able to escape the comet.

1)Assuming a spherical shape, what is the mass of this comet? ( The escape speed for an object at the surface of Earth is 11.2 {\rm km/s} ).

2)How far from the comet's center will this debris be when it has lost 70 {\rm \%} of its initial kinetic energy at the surface?

I have absolutely no idea what to do. any help would be appreciated.

Homework Equations


I know that for part a it is V=sqrt((2GM)/r)

but then how I calculate the lost kinetic energy.


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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treverd said:
but then how I calculate the lost kinetic energy.
You know that it is 70% of it's intial value...
 

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