vandorin said:I thought that since v is squared, you had to multiply the mass by 4...or is that only if its 2v^2?
The kinetic energy of a meteor can be calculated by using the formula KE = 1/2 * m * v^2, where m is the mass of the meteor and v is its velocity.
The units used to measure kinetic energy are joules (J) or kilojoules (kJ).
Yes, the kinetic energy of a meteor can change if its mass or velocity changes. When a meteor enters the Earth's atmosphere, it may experience air resistance which can slow it down and decrease its kinetic energy.
The kinetic energy of a meteor is directly related to the impact it can make. The higher the kinetic energy, the more damage it can cause upon impact.
Aside from mass and velocity, the composition and shape of a meteor can also affect its kinetic energy. A denser and more compact meteor will have a higher kinetic energy compared to a less dense and more spread out meteor of the same mass and velocity.