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Chapter 12: Problem 18

Asteroids are small a. rock and metal objects orbiting the Sun. b. icy objects orbiting the Sun. c. rock and metal objects found only between Mars and Jupiter. d. icy bodies found only in the outer Solar System.

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. rock and metal objects orbiting the Sun.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Definition of Asteroids

Asteroids are small, rocky and metallic objects that orbit the Sun. They are sometimes referred to as 'minor planets' or 'planetoids'. Understanding this basic definition is crucial before analyzing the options provided.
02

Analyze Each Option

Go through each option and see if it matches the definition of asteroids. Option a: Rock and metal objects orbiting the Sun - This exactly matches the definition of asteroids.Option b: Icy objects orbiting the Sun - This describes comets, not asteroids.Option c: Rock and metal objects found only between Mars and Jupiter - While many asteroids are found in this region (the asteroid belt), they are not exclusively found here, so this is incorrect.Option d: Icy bodies found only in the outer Solar System - This also describes comets, not asteroids.
03

Choose the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is clearly option a: Rock and metal objects orbiting the Sun.

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Key Concepts

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

rocky objects
Most asteroids are composed of rocky materials. These materials are similar to what we find on Earth, such as silicate and clay. Asteroids, especially those closer to the Sun, do not generally have volatile compounds like water ice or gases. Since asteroids are remnants from the early solar system, studying them helps us understand the building blocks of planets. These rocky bodies can have irregular shapes due to their small sizes and lack of gravitational pull to make them spherical.
Asteroids also vary in surface features; some might have craters from collisions, while others have a more rugged terrain.
metallic objects
Apart from rocky materials, many asteroids contain metals, predominantly nickel and iron. These metallic asteroids can be very dense and are often shinier than their rocky counterparts. Some of these metals are valuable and have led to discussions about asteroid mining in the future.
Unlike Earth's metallic core, these metals are spread throughout the asteroid. It's believed that these metallic objects could come from the core of larger planetesimals that broke apart during the early formation of the solar system.
orbiting the Sun
Asteroids orbit the Sun following elliptical paths. Their orbits can vary widely; some asteroids have orbits that are closer to Mars, while others might be situated beyond Jupiter. The majority of known asteroids are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Despite their varied locations, all asteroids follow the same laws of orbital motion described by Kepler's and Newton's laws. Some asteroids also have very eccentric or long-period orbits that can take them far beyond the inner solar system. Understanding these orbits helps scientists predict potential asteroid impacts on Earth and study the gravitational influences of planets on asteroidal paths.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Go to planetary astronomer Mike Brown's website of dwarf planets (http://gps.caltech.edu/ mbrown/dps.html). How many dwarf planets does he think are in the Solar System? Why is it difficult to officially certify an object as a dwarf planet?

How could you and a friend, armed only with your cell phones and a knowledge of the night sky, prove conclusively that meteors are an atmospheric phenomenon?

Most asteroids are found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, but astronomers are especially interested in the relative few whose orbits cross that of Earth. Why?

In 1910 , Earth passed directly through the tail of Halley's Comet. Among the various gases in the tail was hydrogen cyanide, deadly to humans. Yet nobody became ill from this event. Why?

What are the differences between a comet and a meteor in terms of their size, distance, and how long they remain visible?
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