Hanna wants to calculate the terminal velocity of a typical meteorite just before it hits Earth. She researches meteorites at the library and on the internet. What information does she need to find?(1 point)

Question

Responses

a typical meteorite’s surface area and coefficient of drag; air density close to Earth
a typical meteorite’s surface area and coefficient of drag; air density close to Earth

a typical meteorite’s weight, surface area, and coefficient of drag; air density close to Earth
a typical meteorite’s weight, surface area, and coefficient of drag; air density close to Earth

a typical meteorite’s mass and average velocity
a typical meteorite’s mass and average velocity

a typical meteorite’s weight, surface area, and coefficient of drag

Answer 1

To calculate the terminal velocity of a typical meteorite just before it hits Earth, Hanna needs to find:

a typical meteorite’s weight, surface area, and coefficient of drag; air density close to Earth

This information will allow her to use the formula for terminal velocity, which considers the gravitational force acting on the meteorite (related to its weight) and the drag force acting on it (which depends on surface area, coefficient of drag, and air density).