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Chapter 12: Problem 19

Define meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A meteoroid is a small space rock; a meteor is a meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere; a meteorite is a meteoroid that has landed on Earth.

Step by step solution

01

Define Meteoroid

A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space. Meteoroids are significantly smaller than asteroids, and their size can range from small grains to objects measuring up to a meter wide.
02

Define Meteor

A meteor is what we see when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and vaporizes. The bright streak in the sky is caused by the intense heat and light produced as the meteoroid burns up.
03

Define Meteorite

A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface. Meteorites can provide valuable scientific information about the early solar system.

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Key Concepts

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

Meteoroid
A meteoroid is a small, rocky, or metallic object located in outer space. It is smaller than an asteroid, with sizes ranging from tiny grains to objects that can be up to a meter wide. Meteoroids originate from comets or asteroids, and when they travel through space, they may eventually enter the Earth's atmosphere.
  • Significantly smaller than asteroids
  • Range from small grains to up to a meter wide
  • Originate from comets or asteroids
Meteor
When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and vaporizes, it becomes a meteor. We often refer to this as a 'shooting star' or 'falling star.' The bright streak of light in the sky occurs due to the heat and light produced as the meteoroid burns up.
  • Occurs when meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere
  • Known as 'shooting stars' or 'falling stars'
  • Produces bright streaks of light due to intense heat and light
Meteorite
A meteorite is what a meteoroid becomes if it survives its journey through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface. These objects can be very valuable for scientific research as they offer insights into the early solar system.
  • Survives passage through Earth's atmosphere
  • Lands on Earth's surface
  • Provides valuable scientific information about early solar system
Outer Space
Outer space refers to the vast, seemingly infinite area that exists beyond the Earth's atmosphere. It encompasses all the stars, planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. It is mostly a vacuum with very little matter.
  • Vast area beyond Earth's atmosphere
  • Includes stars, planets, moons, etc.
  • Mostly a vacuum with very little matter
Earth's Atmosphere
The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding our planet. It is essential for life on Earth, providing the air we breathe and protecting us from harmful space radiation. The atmosphere also helps regulate temperature and weather.
  • Layer of gases surrounding Earth
  • Offers protection from space radiation
  • Essential for life, regulates temperature and weather
Solar System
Our solar system consists of the Sun and all the objects that orbit around it, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The Sun is the center of the solar system and provides the gravitational pull needed to keep everything in orbit.
  • Includes the Sun and all objects orbiting it
  • Consists of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets
  • The Sun's gravity keeps everything in orbit

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Comets, asteroids, and meteoroids may be responsible for delivering a significant fraction of the current supply of ___ to Earth. a. mass b. water c. oxygen d. carbon

Dwarf planets: a. 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 officially to certify an object as a dwarf planet? b. Go to the website for the New Horizons mission (http://pluto .jhuapl.edu), which reached Pluto in 2015 and is scheduled to visit Kuiper Belt objects afterward. Click on "Where Is New Horizons?" What is the spacecraft's current location? How far is it from Earth, and how far from Pluto? How long would it take to send a radio signal to the spacecraft? Click on "News Center." What has been learned from this mission?

Earth's Moon has a diameter of \(3,474 \mathrm{km}\) and orbits at an average distance of \(384,400 \mathrm{km}\). At this distance. it subtends an angle just slightly larger than half a degree in Earth's sky. Pluto's moon Charon has a diameter of \(1,186 \mathrm{km}\) and orbits at a distance of \(19,600 \mathrm{km}\) from the dwarf planet. a. Compare the appearance of Charon in Pluto's skies with the Moon in Earth's skies. b. Describe where in the sky Charon would appear as seen from various locations on Pluto.

How might comets and asteroids have contributed to the origin of life on Earth?

Ceres has a diameter of \(975 \mathrm{km}\) and a period of about 9 hours. What is the rotational speed of a point on the surface of this dwarf planet?
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