1. Due to friction with Earth\'s atmosphere, a large static electric charge coul
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Question
1. Due to friction with Earth's atmosphere, a large static electric charge could build up on our plummeting asteroid fragment. Would you expect our fragment to generate a magnetic field? Explain why or why not.
2. Upon entering Earth's atmosphere, a fragment is heated to high temperature by frictional forces. What would happen to any ice contained within a fragment? What type of phase change would this be? Is this type of change considered a chemical change or a physical change? Explain.
3. As the fragment falls through the atmosphere, it is heated and some of the material is vaporized. Explain how you could determine the composition of this hot vaporized material from the light it emits.
4. If the asteroid fragment contains carbon, it may burn when entering Earth's atmosphere. What is the most likely compound to result from this process? Which type of chemical bond would result from this process? Of the types chemical reactions studied in this course, which type would this be? Be sure to fully explain all of your answers.
5. Asteroids can be classified into two broad groups based on their composition and location: carbon-rich asteroids dominate the outer part of the asteroid belt, whereas metal-rich asteroids dominate the inner part of the belt. Analysis of the fragment we have discussed in this project reveals that it contains nearly equal amounts of metals and carbon. Can you conclude that the original whole asteroid had a similar composition? Can you conclude with a high degree of confidence that the asteroid originated in the middle regions of the asteroid belt? Explain your reasoning. If you would need more data from the asteroid analysis, what would you like to see?
6. The Law of Conservation of Energy tells us that “energy cannot be created nor destroyed.” At the center of our Solar System is the Sun, and the Sun is constantly generating energy allowing our Earth to have habitable conditions for life to exist. What is the source of the Sun’s energy? Does the Law of Conservation of Energy apply here? Explain your answer.
Explanation / Answer
1) I would hazard a guess that if the meteor were iron/nickle then there might be some effect, however slight. I do know there was work some 30 or so years ago when trailing cords were allowed to break the Earths magnetic lines and generate current. There were, I recall, mechanical problems. Friction would have no effect. But, I digress, but a most inspirational thought.
In theory, we can look at the asteroid gaining a large static electric charge as one giant particle with a static electric charge. Furthermore, we can look at it as a rapidly moving charge through air, which satisfies the criteria of the asteroid being a moving charge.
If that's the case, it should be capable of producing a magnetic field, as it produces its own "current" by moving through the air. Magnetic fields are often defined as fields capable of moving electrically charged particles (or inherently magnetic substances). Often this requires a current, let's say through a copper wire, to achieve, but in this case we have a giant mass of charge moving quickly through air. The precise magnitude of the field will depend on the speed and charge of the asteroid, which will likely vary at any moment in time.
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