Does the Asteroid Pose a Threat to Earth?

In summary, an asteroid with a distance of 2 x106 km and a speed of 10 km/s is moving towards Earth. Without gravitational pull, it would miss Earth by 25,000 km. The closest distance between the asteroid and Earth can be calculated by finding the difference between the original distance and the perpendicular distance, which is 2 x106 km - 25,000 km = 1,975,000 km. This means that the closest distance between the asteroid and Earth is 1,975,000 km. As for whether or not the asteroid will hit Earth, it is impossible to determine without further information. However, if it does not hit Earth, it may come back again depending on its trajectory and gravitational forces
  • #1
lovepiano25
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An asteroid is at a distance of 2 x106 km from Earth and is moving with a speed of 10 km/s. Without gravitational pull, the asteroid would miss Earth by a perpendicular distance of 25,000 km from the center of Earth. What is the closest distance between the asteroid and Earth? Does it hit Earth? If not, will it come back to Earth again?

Please show work!
 
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  • #2
lovepiano25 said:
Please show work!

Exactly. That's what you're supposed to do.:smile:

You can find the rules for posting homework questions here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=414380

By showing your attempt at a solution, we can better help you.

Thanks.
 

FAQ: Does the Asteroid Pose a Threat to Earth?

What is an asteroid?

An asteroid is a small rocky object that orbits around the sun. They are smaller than planets, and are often irregularly shaped.

What is considered a "near-Earth" asteroid?

A near-Earth asteroid is an asteroid whose orbit brings it within 1.3 astronomical units (AU) of the Earth, which is approximately 120 million miles.

How often do asteroids come near Earth?

Asteroids come near Earth on a regular basis, with some passing by as close as the moon's distance every year. However, the chance of a large asteroid actually hitting Earth is very low.

What are the potential risks of an asteroid hitting Earth?

If a large asteroid were to hit Earth, it could cause significant damage and potentially lead to mass extinction. However, smaller asteroids that burn up in the atmosphere pose little threat to human life.

How do scientists track and predict the path of near-Earth asteroids?

Scientists use telescopes and radar to track the movement of near-Earth asteroids. They can also use mathematical models to predict their future paths and determine if they pose a potential threat to Earth.

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