Physics Mechanical Energy and Friction

Question

An asteroid with a mass of 5.0 x 105 kg collides with the Earth and slides horizontally along the ground without bouncing (not actually possible but just pretend). The velocity of the asteroid before impact is 1.1 x 104 m/s and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the asteroid and the Earth is 1.80.
How much energy is lost due to friction between the asteroid and the Earth after the
asteroid has come to rest?

Answer 1

Assume that all of the kinetic energy of the asteroid is lost to friction.

 

M = mass of asteroid (given)

v = initial speed of asteroid at time of collision (given)

 

Mv²/2 = initial kinetic energy of asteroid at time of collision 

 

Assume all of this energy is lost to friction as the asteroid slides to a full stop.  Plug in the numbers.