2006-10-02 15:42:07 · 7 answers · asked by graycasa 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Friction
2006-10-02 15:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Shortie♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A meteor is a meteoroid that has entered the earth's atmosphere. It will then become brightly visible due to the heat produced by the ram pressure. If a meteor survives its transit of the atmosphere to come to rest on the Earth's surface, the resulting object is called a meteorite. A meteor striking the Earth or other object may produce an impact crater.
2006-10-03 00:23:07 · answer #2 · answered by tanu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two forces affecting an object moving in a gravitational field. The first is friction from the air, which is why the spaceshuttle burnt up when the tiles came off. It destroys most small meteors like bits of sand, lumps of ice, etc. The second is what is called "tidal" forces. This is what destroys large rocks etc. From what I've read it seems to be the similar to inductance in an electrical circuit. If you move a coil of wire through a magnetic field you get an electric current. The coil in a car engine works on this principle, it has two coils, one makes a magnetic field, then collapses it, the collapse generates a high voltage in the other winding of the coil. I think the tidal effect works on a similar principle. As the rock falls towards earth the changing gravitational field generates a turning force, but the force is different underneath the rock from on top, this causes the rock to shear.
2006-10-02 23:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by Bad bus driving wolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the meteor is composed of different materials, these different materials will heat and expand at different rates. The different rates of expansion from the friction of the atmosphere will put stress on the meteor causing it to fracture and break up.
2006-10-02 22:47:28 · answer #4 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a layer in the atmosphere called ionosphere, which is a layer that is formed basically by electrically charged particles which in combination to the gas molecules in the atmosphere produce lots of friction and this friction produces heat. so basically what happends is that every object that enteres the atmosphere burns up.
The only thing that doesn't burn up is the space shuttle, but because it uses temp. resistant shields and has the necesary ifgure to slide out the heat.
2006-10-02 23:07:13 · answer #5 · answered by Roberto F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THe atmoshphere creates a barier and because the comet is traveling so fast, it causes emense friction. The meteor usually cannot handle the intense heat and that causes it to burn up or melt depending on its composition.
2006-10-02 22:46:25 · answer #6 · answered by me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It burns up.
2006-10-02 22:45:20 · answer #7 · answered by CherryBam.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋