Asteroid Momentum & Starbase Alpha Impact

In summary, an asteroid is headed towards Starbase Alpha, prompting the residents to fire a missile and break it into two chunks. One chunk has 2.4 times the mass of the other. Both chunks pass the starbase at the same time, with the lighter chunk missing the center of the starbase by 2900 meters. Applying the conservation of linear momentum, it can be determined that the other chunk will land approximately 1208 meters away from the center of the starbase.
  • #1
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An asteroid is spotted moving directly toward the center of Starbase Alpha. The frightened residents fire a missile at the asteriod, which breaks it into two chunks, one with 2.4 times the mass of the other. The chunks both pass the starbase at the same time. If the lighter chunk passes 1800 m from one edge of the 2.2-km-wide starbase, will the other chunk hit or miss the starbase?My intuition says that I should do this:
The lighter chunk misses the center of the building with 1800+2200/2 = 2900 meters. The other part will land 2900/2.4 = 1208 meters away from the center of the building...?
 
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  • #2
Apply the conservation of linear momentum.
 

Related to Asteroid Momentum & Starbase Alpha Impact

1. What is an asteroid?

An asteroid is a small, rocky object that orbits around the sun. They are usually irregularly shaped and range in size from a few feet to several hundred miles in diameter. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but some can also be found in other parts of our solar system.

2. How is momentum related to asteroids and space impacts?

Momentum is a measure of an object's mass and velocity. In the case of asteroids, their momentum can determine the severity of an impact with other celestial bodies, such as planets or other asteroids. A larger asteroid with a higher momentum will cause more damage upon impact than a smaller asteroid with a lower momentum.

3. What is Starbase Alpha and how is it involved in the impact of an asteroid?

Starbase Alpha is a hypothetical space station located in orbit around Earth. In the context of an asteroid impact, it could be a potential target for mitigation efforts. Scientists and engineers may use Starbase Alpha as a base for developing and launching spacecraft to intercept and divert a potentially dangerous asteroid from colliding with Earth.

4. Can asteroids be redirected or destroyed to prevent impacts?

Yes, asteroids can be redirected or destroyed through various methods. For smaller asteroids, scientists may use a spacecraft to collide with the asteroid and change its trajectory. For larger asteroids, a nuclear explosion or gravity tractor may be used to alter its course. However, the success of these methods depends on early detection and proper planning.

5. How likely is it for an asteroid to impact Earth?

The likelihood of an asteroid impacting Earth depends on its size and orbit. Larger asteroids have a lower likelihood of impacting Earth due to their smaller numbers in our solar system. However, smaller asteroids can pose a greater risk as they are more numerous and harder to detect. NASA and other space agencies continuously monitor and track potentially hazardous asteroids to assess the risk of impact and plan mitigation efforts if necessary.

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