Would a 10km/s projectile disintegrate at sea level?

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SUMMARY

A projectile fired at 10 km/s, constructed from polished aluminum and shaped like an artillery shell, would likely disintegrate at sea level due to extreme friction. While some argue that the aluminum would primarily ablate rather than disintegrate, the temperature of 1700 Kelvin suggests that ablation occurs at a rate of less than 1 mm per second. The discussion highlights the need for calculations regarding friction and other forces affecting the projectile's integrity during its descent through the atmosphere.

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  • Understanding of thermodynamics, specifically heat transfer and ablation processes.
  • Knowledge of fluid dynamics, particularly the effects of high-speed projectiles in atmospheric conditions.
  • Familiarity with materials science, especially the properties of polished aluminum under extreme conditions.
  • Basic physics principles related to projectile motion and forces acting on objects in motion.
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  • Research the principles of heat transfer and ablation in materials at high velocities.
  • Learn about fluid dynamics and the effects of shock waves on projectiles traveling at supersonic speeds.
  • Investigate the mechanical properties of aluminum and how they change at elevated temperatures.
  • Explore computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for modeling high-speed projectiles in the atmosphere.
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Physicists, aerospace engineers, materials scientists, and anyone interested in the dynamics of high-speed projectiles and their interaction with atmospheric conditions.

Treva31
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Assuming you could fire a projectile at 10km/s.
Polished aluminum, almost solid, same size and shape as an artillery shell.

Most people say it would disintegrate due to the friction at sea level.
But would it really?
I heard someone say it would just ablate some of the aluminum. And that 1700 kelvin ablates less than 1mm per second. Which if you shot up at that speed it wouldn't take very long to get into much thinner air.
Does anyone really even know? I don't think anything has ever gone that fast within the atmosphere.

How could I calculate the friction produced and its effect?
And are there other forces to worry about?
 
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Perhaps have a look at ..
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/22/science/fastest-gun-on-earth-goals-go-beyond-planet.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
CWatters said:
Perhaps have a look at ..
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/22/science/fastest-gun-on-earth-goals-go-beyond-planet.htm

Thanks, that is interesting but doesn't really answer the main question.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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