Hello List, Every time this subject comes up (often it seems) I remember a post by Russ Kempton that makes even more sense to my way of thinking.
--------------begin quote---------------------- Compression is correct - but - compression is motion, motion produces friction and thus heat. And, you are right -- it's not just semantics. It identifies a process making it a wonderful teaching model. As the air (gas) molecules are compressed, they move. Any "gas" that suddenly has to move (compression) has more and more molecules banging into each other - heat from friction. The causal relationship is: Compression/motion Motion/friction Friction/heat What happens afterwards is a complex process called gas dynamic drag which deals with the thermal effects of gas in motion. Ultimately the resultant heat is partitioned away from the meteoroid through ablation. -------------------end quote--------------------- David ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
