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Physics 8 Online
OpenStudy (mikeyymonroe):

why doesn't the earth get knocked out of orbit when an asteroid hits it? like when the dinosaurs went extinct.

OpenStudy (mikeyymonroe):

giving medals to whoever can truthfully answer this question. ^^^^^

OpenStudy (anonymous):

any options?

OpenStudy (mikeyymonroe):

nope its your own answer.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

The Earth' trajectory is a stable trajectory. if a asteroid hit it, it will oscillate a while then eventually it goes on its previous trajectory. You can get it with calculation Sun-Earth potential energy. it is like a rock placed on top of a mountain. If you kick it slowly then it will fall. But if it is on the bottom, it will not be moved very easily..

OpenStudy (mikeyymonroe):

thank you @oksuz_

OpenStudy (anonymous):

exactly like oksuz.. unles ofcourse u hit it with a very high velocity.. in which case it does get knocked off orbit and would escape (called escape velocity)

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