[meteorite-list] fall patterns

[Pat Brown]

Hi Robin, 

The heavier parts of a body after breakup will fly
further. The lighter parts will slow down faster and
not travel as fardown range. The reason for this is
that the smaller parts have more aerodynamic drag per
unit of mass and slow down quicker. The heaier parts
have less drag per unit mass and will not slow down as
quickly. 

In a strewn field that is carefully mapped with the
location and mass of each fragment, it is east to see
which direction a meteoroid approached from. A line
drawn from the lightest fragment to the heaviest
fragmet will show the direction of travel. This is one
of the reasons that keeping good records is important.

Best Regards, 
           Pat Brown 

--- Robin Galyan <robin_707a at ifiles.com> wrote:

>  So what I am now trying to logicate is fall
> patterns.    In particular the 
> relationship of smaller chunks vs larger ones.
> 
> Perhaps you can assist me in my thinking.
> 
> Say a breakup occurs and the debris is rushing in
> thru the atmosphere. 
> The heavier ones would fly straighter and faster
> right? (further).     Or 
> would gravity make them fall faster hence sooner?
> 
> If a 1 lb (say 500g) specimen was found on a
> hillside,    I guess I am 
> trying to figure where to look for the smaller ones
> that probably fell with 
> it.     Further up the hill or down?   or both?   
> And how far would I need 
> to look?
> 
> 
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