In 1908 there was a huge explosion referred to as the Tunguska event which occurred in Siberia.Apparently this was caused by a very large meteorite,a small asteroid,or a comet colliding with the Earth.If the energy released,estimated at 5 × 10¹⁶ J,were from the kinetic energy of the object,what would have been its approximate mass if its speed had been 10⁴ m/s? A)10⁶ kg B)10⁹ kg C)10¹² kg D)10¹⁴ kg

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formula for kinetic energy is KE=1/2mv^2
where KE is kinetic energy, m is mass, and v is velocity

Rearranging the formula to solve for mass, we get:
m=2KE/v^2

Plugging in the given values, we get:
m=2(5 × 10^16 J)/(10^14 m/s)^2
m=2(5 × 10^16 J)/(10^28 m^2/s^2)
m=10^19 kg

Therefore, the approximate mass of the object would be 10^19 kg, which corresponds to choice B.

In 1908 There Was a Huge Explosion Referred to as the Tunguska