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Mobile App Chapter 7: Problem 24
If scientists want to find out about the composition of the early Solar System, the best objects to study are a. the terrestrial planets. b. the giant planets. c. the Sun. d. asteroids and comets.
Short Answer
Expert verified
d. asteroids and comets.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the question
Determine what the question is asking. Scientists want to know which objects are best to study to learn about the composition of the early Solar System.
02
Analyze the options
Consider each option provided: the terrestrial planets, the giant planets, the Sun, and asteroids and comets.
03
Evaluate the terrestrial planets
The terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) have been significantly altered by geological processes and atmospheric phenomena, making them less representative of the early Solar System composition.
04
Evaluate the giant planets
The giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) primarily consist of hydrogen and helium, but being gas giants, their composition is not representative of the solid material in the early Solar System.
05
Evaluate the Sun
While the Sun contains the majority of the Solar System's mass and its composition is crucial, it primarily consists of hydrogen and helium, which does not represent the solids that formed the planets.
06
Evaluate asteroids and comets
Asteroids and comets are considered remnants from the early Solar System. They are composed of primordial material that has undergone little change since the Solar System's formation, making them ideal for study.
07
Determine the best option
Based on the evaluations, asteroids and comets are the best objects to study to find out about the composition of the early Solar System.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Asteroids
Asteroids are rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, mainly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They are considered to be leftover building blocks from the formation of our Solar System. Because asteroids have remained relatively unchanged for billions of years, they provide a snapshot of the early Solar System's composition. Scientists study asteroids to understand the materials that were present during the time the planets were forming. Asteroids can be composed of various types of rock, metal, and sometimes traces of organic compounds. Their study helps us understand the distribution of these materials in the early Solar System.
Comets
Comets are icy bodies that also orbit the Sun, often with highly elliptical orbits. They are made up of ice, dust, and organic compounds. When comets come close to the Sun, they develop a glowing coma and a tail, which are visible from Earth. Comets are believed to originate from the outer regions of the Solar System, specifically the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud. Because they are composed of volatile materials that can evaporate easily, comets have preserved ices and organic chemicals from the early Solar System. Studying comets can give insights into the distribution and composition of these volatile materials during the Solar System's infancy.
Early Solar System Study
The study of the early Solar System focuses on understanding the materials and processes that led to the formation of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. During its formation, the Solar System was a disk of dust and gas surrounding the young Sun, known as the protoplanetary disk. Over time, this material coalesced to form the solid objects we see today. By studying primitive objects like asteroids and comets, scientists can learn about the conditions and materials that were present at the time of planet formation. These studies provide clues about the Solar System's history and the dynamics of its evolution.
Planetary Science
Planetary science is the branch of astronomy that deals with the study of planets, moons, and other objects in our Solar System and beyond. It includes analyzing the composition, structure, atmosphere, and dynamics of these bodies. A crucial part of planetary science is understanding how the Solar System formed and evolved over time. This involves studying various celestial objects, including the remnants of the early Solar System. By examining asteroids and comets, planetary scientists can infer the original materials and conditions that existed in the early Solar System, offering a window into the processes that shaped our cosmic neighborhood.
