MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: What would happen to an object/person hitting atmosphere suddenly at speed?

Date: Mon Dec 30 15:13:01 2002
Posted by Robin
Grade level: undergrad School: No school entered.
City: Memphis State/Province: TN Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1041279181.Ph
Message:

If a wooden rocket-shaped craft weighing 5000kg and moving at 10,000 m/s 
crossed an imaginary line and suddenly find outself in a huge bubble of 
ordinary air at standard temperature and pressure and sea-level density, what 
would happen to the occupant of such a craft? (I imagine the craft would break 
up, and all the pieces including the passenger would begin to decelerate). But 
what would the forces be, and would it be survivable for the passenger? (Assume 
she's wearing thick clothing and a hooded jacket so her skin isn't stripped 
from the bones by teh hypersonic wind.)

I know it's an impractical, odd request, but it's kind of a neat puzzle that 
I'm not equipped to solve.

Robin


Re: What would happen to an object/person hitting atmosphere suddenly at speed?

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