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Chapter 2: Problem 16

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite? Are all meteorites composed of the same material? Explain your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The difference between a meteor and a meteorite is that a meteor is a small celestial object that burns up in the Earth's atmosphere, creating a streak of light, while a meteorite is a piece of debris from a celestial object that survives its passage through the atmosphere and falls to the Earth's surface. Meteorites are not all composed of the same material; they can be classified into stony, iron, or stony-iron meteorites based on their composition.

Step by step solution

01

Defining a Meteor

A meteor is a small celestial object, mostly made of dust and small rocks, which enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to friction, creating a streak of light in the sky, commonly known as a shooting star.
02

Defining a Meteorite

A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from a celestial object, such as an asteroid or a comet, that has survived its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface. It can be found and studied by scientists to understand the composition of these celestial objects.
03

Differences between a Meteor and a Meteorite

The main difference between a meteor and a meteorite lies in their state of existence. Meteors burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, creating a streak of light, while meteorites are those pieces that survive the atmospheric passage and strike the Earth's surface.
04

Composition of Meteorites

Not all meteorites are composed of the same material. There are three primary types of meteorites, each with distinct compositions: 1. Stony meteorites, mainly composed of silicate minerals, which resemble rocks found on Earth. 2. Iron meteorites, mainly composed of metallic iron and nickel, much denser than stony meteorites. 3. Stony-iron meteorites, which are a mixture of both silicate minerals and metallic iron-nickel.
05

Conclusion

In summary, the difference between a meteor and a meteorite is that a meteor is a small celestial object that burns up in the Earth's atmosphere, while a meteorite is a piece of debris from a celestial object that survives its passage through the atmosphere and falls to the Earth's surface. Meteorites come in different compositions, and they are not all made of the same material. They can be classified into stony, iron, or stony-iron meteorites based on their composition.

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