a 27-pound meteorite struck a car leaving a dent 22 cm deep in the trunk?

Question

If the meteorite struck the car with a speed of 630 m/s, what was the magnitude of its deceleration, assuming it to be constant?

can any one help me

Answer 1

you can use the acceleration formula X - Xo = (V^2 - Vo^2)/2a.

since it went 22 cm (.22 m) as it was decelerating, let's say
original position Xo = 0 and final position X = -0.22 (negative because it went downward into the car).
original velocity Vo = 630, and final velocity V = 0 since it's at rest 22cm into the trunk.

plugging all that into the equation gives:

0-(-0.22) = (0^2 - 630^2)/2a
.22 = -(630^2)/2a
.22 = -396,900/2a
.44a = -396,900
a = -396,900/.44 = -902,045.45 m/s^2

Answer 2

Without knowing the construction of the trunk metal, i.e., thickness of the main trunk lid body, and the reinforcing metal beneath, and the geometry of the trunk and the reinforcing metal, it's impossible to calculate the delta in deceleration. Also to be considered is the angle at which the meteorite struck the trunk. If you have a homework problem that claims to have an answer, it will almost certainly be incorrect.

Answer 3

The equation Vf^2 = Vo^2 + 2*a*d should give you the answer. You know:
Vfinal = 0
Voriginal = 630 m/s and
distance = .22 m