Exploring the Relative Speed of an NEO Compared to Earth
What is the relative speed of an NEO compared to Earth?
A neo is 1.07 astronomical units (AU) away from the Sun. To determine its relative speed compared to Earth, we need to consider the orbital velocity of both objects.
Answer:
The relative speed of the NEO compared to Earth is -1.28 kilometers per second (km/s).
Understanding the Relative Speed Calculation:
When calculating the relative speed of an NEO (Near-Earth Object) compared to Earth, we need to take into account their respective orbital velocities. Earth's average orbital velocity is approximately 29.78 km/s, while the NEO is 1.07 AU away from the Sun.
The formula to calculate relative speed is:
vrelative = vneo - vearth
Considering that the NEO is further from the Sun than Earth, its orbital velocity will be lower. Let's assume the NEO's orbital velocity is 28.50 km/s. Plugging the values into the formula, we get:
vrelative = 28.50 km/s - 29.78 km/s = -1.28 km/s
Therefore, the relative speed of the NEO compared to Earth is -1.28 km/s. This negative sign indicates that the NEO is moving slower relative to Earth in its orbit around the Sun.