One hazard of space travel is debris left by previous missions. There are severa

Question

One hazard of space travel is debris left by previous missions. There are several thousand masses large enough to detect by radar orbiting the earth, but there are far greater numbers of very small masses such as flakes of paint. Calculate the force exerted by a 0.170 mg chip of paint that strikes a space shuttle window at a relative speed of 4.00 103 m/s and sticks, given the collision lasts 6.00 10-8 s. Such a collision chipped the window of the ill-fated Challenger in June 1983, causing $50,000 of damage.

Force in N=???

Explanation / Answer

We have to understand here that, the Impulse action will be equal to the change in momentum

or force x time = change in momentum

i.e.

F x t= m x v

here, t=6 x 10-8s

v=4 x 103 m/sec

m=0.170 mg= 0.170 * 10-6Kg

F x (6 x 10-8) = 0.170 * 10-6 x 4 * 103

F= 11.33kN

Force exerted by the chip on the shuttle

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