On February 15, 2013, Asteroid 2012 DA14 passed within 17,200 miles [mi] of the surface of the Earth at a relative speed of 7.8 kilometers per second [km/s]. This is considerably closer than the orbit of geosynchronous satellites (26,200 miles). This is the closest recorded approach of an object this large. The asteroid 2012 DA14 was estimated to have a diameter of 30 meters [m] and a specific gravity of 3. If 2012 DA14 had hit the Earth, what is the total amount of energy that would have been released (i.e., what was the kinetic energy of the asteroid)? Express your answer in megatons [Mton]. One megaton is the energy released by one million metric tons of TNT explosive. A metric ton equals 1,000 kilograms [kg], and the explosive energy of TNT is 4,184 joules per gram [J/g].
Gravitational force
In nature, every object is attracted by every other object. This phenomenon is called gravity. The force associated with gravity is called gravitational force. The gravitational force is the weakest force that exists in nature. The gravitational force is always attractive.
Acceleration Due to Gravity
In fundamental physics, gravity or gravitational force is the universal attractive force acting between all the matters that exist or exhibit. It is the weakest known force. Therefore no internal changes in an object occurs due to this force. On the other hand, it has control over the trajectories of bodies in the solar system and in the universe due to its vast scope and universal action. The free fall of objects on Earth and the motions of celestial bodies, according to Newton, are both determined by the same force. It was Newton who put forward that the moon is held by a strong attractive force exerted by the Earth which makes it revolve in a straight line. He was sure that this force is similar to the downward force which Earth exerts on all the objects on it.
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