This article is cited in 1 paper

Effect of the impulse of a meteorite on the dimensions of the impact crater

N. I. Shishkin

Zababakhin Institute of Technical Physics, Snezhinsk, 456770, Russia

Abstract: Formulas for the diameter and depth of an explosion crater are obtained which take into account the energy and impulse of the explosion products, rock strength, burial depth of the explosive charge, and gravity. Using the explosive-shock analogy, the obtained relations are extended to the case of meteorite (impactor) impact on the planet’s crust (target). It is shown that in the gravity cratering regime, the influence of the impulse of the impactor is significant and increases with increasing its size. In the strength cratering regime, the impulse has little effect on crater dimensions. It is established that crater dimensions are determined mainly by the kinetic energy of the impactor and, to a lesser degree, by its impulse.

Keywords: meteorite, impulse, kinetic energy, impact, crater.

UDC: 550.348.425.4

Received: 10.11.2010

 English version: Journal of Applied Mechanics and Technical Physics, 2011, 52:6, 849–856

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