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

a typical meteorite’s mass and average velocity

Answer 1

To calculate the terminal velocity of a meteorite just before it hits Earth, Hanna needs the following information:

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

This is because terminal velocity can be calculated using the formula:

\[ v_t = \sqrt{\frac{2mg}{\rho C_d A}} \]

where \( v_t \) is the terminal velocity, \( m \) is the mass (or weight), \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity, \( \rho \) is the air density, \( C_d \) is the coefficient of drag, and \( A \) is the surface area. Therefore, the second response option is the most complete and correct: a typical meteorite’s weight, surface area, and coefficient of drag; air density close to Earth.