When a meteoroid falls it gets vaporized because of friction between it and atmosphere. Why does a plane doesnot get fire because of friction?
2006-12-26 07:35:53 · 11 answers · asked by just4fun f 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It is all to do with the speed.
The velocity to escape from Earth's gravity is about 25,000 mph, and the velocity to orbit Earth is about 17,500 mph. This is the range of speeds that meteors arrive at, and their surface burns up, so that only the biggest ones reach the ground. The space shuttle re-enters at just less than orbital velocity, and burns up if it has any tile damage. High-performance aeroplanes can get red-hot at 4,000 mph, and hot enough at 2,500 mph to need special materials. Regular planes at only 600 mph do not have a problem.
2006-12-26 09:25:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atmospheric friction becomes an issue at around mach 2. The SR-71 cruised at a blistering mach 3.2. It had to be specially constructed to allow for heating due to friction with the air. The wings, for example, were made with special expansion areas that resembled venetian blinds. It also leaked fuel constantly until it reached cruising speed and expansion due to heat sealed everything up. It was 11 inches longer at cruising speed. Meteors hit the atmosphere at around 40,000 mph. At that speed air is like a brick wall.
2006-12-26 17:09:22 · answer #2 · answered by kevpet2005 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not go fast enough. The only one that was able to get up some heat on the fuselage and leading edges was the X-15 rocket powered plane and the recent flight of the scram-jet over the Pacific ocean where it hit Mach 10.
2006-12-26 08:58:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Several planes get very hot when flying, such as the SR-71 and the old X-15. They glowed visible red from the heat, but speed is the determining factor.
2006-12-26 07:44:33 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the plane goes MUCH slower than any meteor. The space shuttle reentering the atmosphere STILL goes slower than the slowest meteor, but it does go faster than any airplane and has special ceramic tiles covering it to protect it from the heat. It gets as hot as several thousand degrees, but the tiles protect it.
2006-12-26 07:54:55 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It never goes fast enough, high speed aircraft actually have to take into account large thermal expansion from friction heat, and some use materials that have very low degrees of thermal expansion to compensate. Also the high speeds are attained at high altitude where there is less drag to generate heat.
2006-12-26 07:44:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
thats because its not going fast enough. think 17,500 mph. thats how fast the space shuttle goes when its in orbit, and a plane is going, what, 250-500 mph, not even the speed of sound. and when you do go the speed of sound, sometimes theres a vapor cloud that forms around you, depending on the humidity
2006-12-26 12:53:22 · answer #7 · answered by hfbldprince101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meteorite enter our atmosphere with intense speed. as a effect whilst they enter our atmosphere they get heated up because of the friction brought about on its floor through the ambience. as a effect they seize hearth with the help and proceed to burn by oxygen prersent in top atmosphere.
2016-12-15 08:31:23 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is why the SR-71 skin was completely made from titanium, it went so fast it was too hot for aluminum.
2006-12-26 13:49:09 · answer #9 · answered by ZeedoT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Easy because it hasnt attained the velocity to burn up in the atmosphere
2006-12-26 08:20:04 · answer #10 · answered by afrprince77 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋