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Chapter 12: Problem 8

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
Option a is correct; asteroids are rock and metal objects orbiting the Sun.

Step by step solution

01

Analyze the Options

Examine each provided option to understand what they describe. Options are: 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.
02

Identifying Characteristics of Asteroids

Asteroids are typically composed of rock and metal. They can be found primarily in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter but are not exclusively restricted to this region.
03

Eliminate Incorrect Options

Option b and d describe icy objects, which typically refer to comets, so both can be eliminated. Option c inaccurately states asteroids are only found between Mars and Jupiter, eliminating this choice as well.
04

Confirm the Correct Option

The correct option is a. rock and metal objects orbiting the Sun, which accurately describes asteroids.

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Key Concepts

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

Asteroid Composition
Asteroids are primarily composed of rock and metal. They form from materials leftover from the early solar system, which didn't amalgamate into planets. The key components include:

  • Silicates: These are rock-forming minerals composed of silicon and oxygen. They are the most abundant material in asteroids.
  • Iron and Nickel: Metals that are often found in asteroids, sometimes forming large, pure metal masses.
  • Carbonaceous compounds: These dark-colored materials often contain organic molecules and water-bearing minerals.
Understanding the composition of asteroids helps astronomers gain insights into the conditions and processes present in the early Solar System.
Asteroid Belt
The asteroid belt is a region of space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where most of the asteroids in our solar system are found. This belt contains millions of asteroids, which vary significantly in size. Here are some key points about the asteroid belt:

  • Location: Situated between Mars and Jupiter, the belt spans approximately 2.1 to 3.3 AU (astronomical units) from the Sun.
  • Population: While it contains millions of asteroids, the total mass is less than that of Earth's moon.
  • Distribution: Asteroids in this region are not evenly distributed and clusters known as families share similar orbits.
The gravitational influence of Jupiter prevents the material in the asteroid belt from coalescing into a planet, keeping the area populated by these space rocks.
Orbital Patterns of Asteroids
The orbit of an asteroid is primarily determined by its distance from the Sun and the gravitational forces it encounters. Here are the main characteristics:

  • Elliptical Orbits: Most asteroids have elliptical (oval-shaped) orbits, which means their distance from the Sun varies during their orbit.
  • Orbital Inclination: The tilt of an asteroid's orbit relative to the plane of the Solar System can vary, with some orbits being more inclined than others.
  • Resonant Orbits: Some asteroids have orbits that are in resonance with Jupiter, meaning they have orbital periods that are a simple fraction of Jupiter’s period.
Understanding their orbits is crucial for predicting asteroid paths and potential impacts with planets, including Earth.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Perihelion is the point in an orbit ___ the Sun; aphelion is the point in an orbit ___ the Sun. a. closest to; farthest from b. farthest from; closer to c. at one focus of; at the other focus of

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.

An iron meteorite most likely came from a. an undifferentiated asteroid. b. a differentiated asteroid. c. a planet. d. a comet.

The three types of meteorites come from different parts of their parent bodies. Stony-iron meteorites are rare because a. they are hard to find. b. the volume of a differentiated body that has both stone and iron is small. c. there is very little iron in the Solar System. d. the magnetic field of the Sun attracts the iron.

Comet Halley has a mass of approximately \(2.2 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{kg} .\) It loses about \(3 \times 10^{11} \mathrm{kg}\) each time it passes the Sun. a. The first confirmed observation of the comet was made in 240 BCE. Assuming a constant period of 76.4 years, how many times has it reappeared since that early sighting? b. How much mass has the comet lost since 240 BCE? c. What percentage of the comet's total mass today does this amount represent?
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