NSCI 100- CALCULATIONS

1. Assume that our asteroid is in the shape of a sphere and that it has a diameter of 1.50 meters and a mass given at this link Additional Data For Applied Project Stage 2.

    a. (3 points) Submit a screenshot of the completed form found at the Additional Data link above.

    b. (5 points) Draw a picture of this spherical asteroid, label the diameter and radius of the asteroid. On your drawing, write the values of mass in kilograms (kg) and grams (g), the diameter and radius in meters (m) and centimeters (cm). Submit a photo of this drawing with your name, date, and course information (for example, NSCI 103 section XXXX) clearly written on your drawing.

Useful information: 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 m = 100 cm. Remember: the radius of a sphere is equal to half its diameter.

 c. (12 points) Determine the density (in grams per cubic centimeter) of this asteroid. Show all of your work.

Useful information: Volume of sphere = 4/3 π r3.

2. Density comparison and flotation. Explain your answers to the questions below fully.

    a. (5 points) What is the density of water in grams per cubic centimeter? Is your calculated density of the asteroid greater than, less than, or the same as that of water?

    b. (5 points) Would you expect this asteroid to float or sink in water based on your calculation and the shape of the asteroid? Explain.

    c. (5 points) If you knew the density of the asteroid but had no information about its shape, would you be able to give the same answer as you gave above? Explain.

3. One side of our asteroid is constantly illuminated by the Sun while the other side remains in the dark. 

    a. (5 points) Do you expect there to be a temperature difference between the light and dark sides? Explain why or why not. 

    b. (5 points) If the two sides are at different temperatures, how might heat transfer from one side to the other if the asteroid does not have enough gravity to hold an atmosphere?

    c. (5 points) If the two sides are at different temperatures and the asteroid had an atmosphere, in what additional manner might heat transfer occur?

4. Occasionally an asteroid will break into fragments due to a collision. These fragments, which often contain ice, can leave the asteroid belt and make their way to Earth. Upon entering Earth's atmosphere, the fragment would be heated to a high temperature by frictional forces. 

    a. (5 points) What would happen to any ice contained within the fragment?

    b. (5 points) What type of phase change would this be?

    c. (5 points) Is this type of change considered a chemical change or a physical change? Explain.

5. Due to frictional interactions with Earth's atmosphere, a large static electric charge could build up on an asteroid fragment as it falls through the atmosphere.

    a. (5 points) Explain how an electric field is generated.

    b. (5 points) Would you expect the fragment to generate an electric field in this situation? Explain why or why not.

    c. (5 points) Describe the different ways a magnetic field can be generated.

    d. (5 points) Would you expect the fragment to generate a magnetic field in this situation? Explain why or why not.

6. A large in-falling fragment could be tracked using radar.

    a. (5 points) What region of the electromagnetic spectrum is typically used for radar? How does the wavelength of radar waves compare to those of visible light (larger, smaller, or about the same)?

    b. (5 points) How can radar be used to determine the distance between the radar station and the asteroid fragment?

    c. (5 points) Explain how radar can be used to determine the speed, and the direction of motion, of the asteroid fragment. Include two examples in your explanation: (1) the fragment is moving towards the radar station, and (2) the fragment is moving away the radar station.