Question

A meteorite burns in atmosphere before it reaches the earth surface. What happens to its velocity?

Answer 1

The meteorite's velocity increases

Answer 2

A meteorite has both potential and kinetic energy before entering the atmosphere of the Earth. As it enters and falls towards the surface of the Earth, frictional heating occurs, caused by collision with the molecules in the atmosphere which reduces its velocity. Hence the kinetic energy decreases, which is converted to heat energy. Potential energy is continuously decreasing, being converted to kinetic energy. There is also mass loss due to ablation