Given the rivet is 2.95 mm in size, how long will its collision with the satellite last? In this approximation, the rivet is completely destroyed and the collision does not slow the rivet down. Part (d) If its mass is 0.485 g, what is the average force it exerts on the satellite? The destroyed rivet is assumed to have zero velocity after the collision. Part (e) How much energy in Joules is generated by the collision? (The satellite’s velocity does not change appreciably, because its mass is much greater than the rivet’s.)
Rigid Body
A rigid body is an object which does not change its shape or undergo any significant deformation due to an external force or movement. Mathematically speaking, the distance between any two points inside the body doesn't change in any situation.
Rigid Body Dynamics
Rigid bodies are defined as inelastic shapes with negligible deformation, giving them an unchanging center of mass. It is also generally assumed that the mass of a rigid body is uniformly distributed. This property of rigid bodies comes in handy when we deal with concepts like momentum, angular momentum, force and torque. The study of these properties – viz., force, torque, momentum, and angular momentum – of a rigid body, is collectively known as rigid body dynamics (RBD).
Space debris left from old satellites and their launchers is becoming a hazard to other satellites. One can estimate how long such a collision lasts; if an object of length l is traveling at a velocity v, it will cover a distance l in a time equal to l / v. This is the approximate time of interaction for an object being smashed against another object.
Parts (a) and (b) are already completed.
Part (a) Calculate the speed (in m/s) of a satellite in an orbit 940 km above Earth’s surface.
v = 7360
Part (b) Suppose a loose rivet is in an orbit of the same radius that intersects the satellite’s orbit at an angle of 90°. What is the speed (in m/s) of the rivet relative to the satellite just before striking it?
vtot = 10410
Part (c) Given the rivet is 2.95 mm in size, how long will its collision with the satellite last? In this approximation, the rivet is completely destroyed and the collision does not slow the rivet down.
Part (d) If its mass is 0.485 g, what is the average force it exerts on the satellite? The destroyed rivet is assumed to have zero velocity after the collision.
Part (e) How much energy in Joules is generated by the collision? (The satellite’s velocity does not change appreciably, because its mass is much greater than the rivet’s.)
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