Impact erosion of planetary atmospheres
The amount of gas imparted to the atmosphere by an interaction of an impactor with a planet is estimated. The interaction of an impactor with a planet is described. The enthalpy of the gas, the kinetic energy of mass motion, and the evaporation of the impactor are examined. The properties of the shock-heated gas are calculated and analyzed. It is observed that the mass of atmospheric gas driven off into space by an impact is proportional to the mass of atmospheric gas encountered by the impactor.