Philae

Definition

Philae is a robotic lander that accompanied the Rosetta spacecraft. It successfully landed on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko to conduct scientific experiments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Philae demonstrated principles of linear momentum during its landing sequence.
2. The lander used harpoons to anchor itself, showcasing momentum transfer.
3. Philae's collision with the comet can be analyzed using conservation of linear momentum.
4. The bouncing motion after initial contact illustrated elastic and inelastic collision concepts.
5. Energy dissipation during Philae's bounce helped study momentum loss mechanisms.

Review Questions

• How does Philae’s landing illustrate the conservation of linear momentum?
• What role did harpoons play in Philae’s momentum transfer upon landing?
• Describe how Philae's bouncing motion demonstrated principles of elastic and inelastic collisions.

Related terms

Linear Momentum: The product of an object's mass and its velocity; a vector quantity.

Elastic Collision: A type of collision where total kinetic energy is conserved.

Inelastic Collision: A type of collision where some kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.