Question: An asteroid (m = 4 x 1010 kg) falls to Earth from very far away. Assume the original (very far away) velocity of the asteroid to be negligible.
1. How fast is the asteroid when it crosses Mars' orbit?
2. How much kinetic energy will it have if it strikes the Earth?
3. Note the picture and measurements below of a spacecraft traveling in an elliptical orbit around Earth.
A) Determine the following for the spacecraft when it is at point P:
a) Total Energy
b) Angular Momentum
B) Determine the following for the spacecraft when it is at point A:
c) Speed
C) Determine the following for the spacecraft (noting its elliptical orbit):
d) Period (in hours)
4. The spacecraft is still at point A, but now has a circular orbit. Tell me its speed and escape velocity.