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?

Question

Responses

a typical meteorite’s mass and average velocity

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

a typical meteorite’s weight, 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

Answer 1

To calculate the terminal velocity of a typical meteorite just before it hits Earth, Hanna would need:

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

This information is essential because:

• The weight (or mass) of the meteorite is needed to determine the gravitational force acting on it.
• The surface area is important for calculating the drag force.
• The coefficient of drag is required to understand how the shape of the meteorite affects its resistance to motion through the air.
• The air density is necessary since terminal velocity calculations involve the drag force, which depends on the characteristics of the fluid (in this case, air) through which the object is moving.

Therefore, the complete response that includes all necessary elements is the third option.