The Chelyabinsk meteor exploded over Russia in 2013 with a blast whose brightness exceeded that of the sun. The meteor entered the atmosphere with a speed of approximately 60,000 km/h and exploded at an altitude of approximately 29.7 miles. The estimated mass of the meteor was 13,000 metric tons (1 metric ton = 1000 kg).

A. Determine the meteor’s kinetic energy at the entry velocity and its potential energy at the point of explosion.

B. How many 55-kg bicycle riders traveling at 20 mph would be required to result in the same kinetic energy as the Chelyabinsk meteor?

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