Hanna wants to calculate the terminal velocity of a typical meteorite just before it hits Earth. She researches meteorites at the library and on the internet. What information does she need to find?
a. a typical meteorite's mass and average velocity
b. a typical meteorite's surface area and coefficient of drag air density close to Earth
c. a typical meteorite's weight surface area and coefficient of drag
d. a typical meteorite's weight surface area and coefficient of drag air density close to Earth
The correct answer is b. a typical meteorite's surface area and coefficient of drag air density close to Earth.
To calculate terminal velocity, Hanna needs to know the surface area of the meteorite (which affects air resistance) and the coefficient of drag (a measure of how streamlined the object is). Additionally, she needs to know the air density close to Earth, as this also affects the terminal velocity. The mass and average velocity of the meteorite are not essential for calculating terminal velocity. The weight of the meteorite can be derived from its mass and the acceleration due to gravity, which is not necessary for finding terminal velocity.