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Chapter 12: Problem 11

T/F: Asteroids are mostly rock and metal; comets are mostly ice.

Short Answer

Expert verified
True

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Composition of Asteroids

Asteroids are small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun. They are primarily composed of rock and metal. These materials give asteroids their solid structure and durability.
02

Understand the Composition of Comets

Comets, on the other hand, are composed mainly of ice, dust, and organic compounds. These icy bodies originate from the outer regions of the solar system, where temperatures are low enough to keep their volatile compounds frozen.
03

Analyze the Statement

The statement asserts that asteroids are mostly rock and metal, and comets are mostly ice. Given the information about the composition of both asteroids and comets, it aligns with what we know.
04

Conclude the Truth Value

The statement is true because it accurately describes the primary compositions of asteroids and comets.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

asteroids
Asteroids are fascinating objects in our solar system. They are predominantly composed of rock and metal. This gives asteroids a solid and durable structure, allowing them to withstand various cosmic events.

Asteroids are often found in the asteroid belt, a region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This belt contains numerous rocky bodies that vary in size, from tiny pebbles to objects that are hundreds of kilometers wide.

Some key points about asteroids are:
  • They are remnants from the early solar system, never having formed into planets.
  • They can have irregular shapes, unlike planets that are often spherical.
  • They play a crucial role in understanding the formation and evolution of our solar system.
comets
Comets are intriguing celestial objects composed mostly of ice, dust, and organic compounds. These icy bodies come from the far reaches of our solar system, where temperatures are cold enough to keep their materials frozen.

When comets approach the Sun, the increased heat causes the ice to evaporate, or sublimate, creating a glowing coma and sometimes a spectacular tail. This makes comets not only scientifically important but also visually stunning.

Interesting facts about comets include:
  • They originate from two main areas: the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.
  • Their tails always point away from the Sun, pushed by the solar wind.
  • Comets provide valuable clues about the early solar system's composition and conditions.
solar system
The solar system is our cosmic neighborhood, hosting the Sun and all the objects that orbit it. This includes planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and more. Our solar system is vast and diverse, with each component playing a crucial role in its overall dynamics.

Key characteristics of the solar system:
  • The Sun, a star at its center, contains 99.8% of the solar system's total mass.
  • There are eight recognized planets, with Earth being the third planet from the Sun.
  • Beyond the planets, there exist dwarf planets, like Pluto, and small solar system bodies, such as asteroids and comets.
Understanding the solar system helps us gain insights into the processes that govern planetary systems and the potential for life beyond Earth.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The estimated amount of zodiacal dust in the Solar System remains constant at approximately \(10^{16}\) kg. Yet zodiacal dust is constantly being swept up by planets or removed by the pressure of sunlight. a. If all the dust disappeared (at a constant rate) over a span of 30,000 years, what would the average production rate, in kilograms per second, have to be to maintain the current content? b. Is this an example of static or dynamic equilibrium? Explain your answer.

T/F: Meteors are typically caused by small pieces of dust falling through the atmosphere.

It is becoming more common for people, houses, and so on to be hit by meteorites. The reason for this increase in meteorite strikes is probably that a. there are more meteorites. b. humans cover more of Earth. c. records of meteorite impacts have improved significantly in the last decade. d. records of ancient meteorite strikes have disintegrated.

One recent estimate concludes that nearly 800 meteorites with mass greater than 100 grams (massive enough to cause personal injury strike the surface of Earth each day. Assuming you present a target of 0.25 square meter \(\left(\mathrm{m}^{2}\right)\) to a falling meteorite, what is the probability that you will be struck by a meteorite during your 100 -year lifetime? (Note that the surface area of Earth is approximately \(5 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{m}^{2} .\) )

Meteor showers occur because Earth passes through the path of a. another planet. b. a planetesimal. c. a comet. d. the Moon.
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