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Mobile App Chapter 7: Problem 13
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 Problem
The question asks which objects scientists should study to learn about the composition of the early Solar System. We need to evaluate each option to determine which one offers the most information about the early Solar System’s composition.
02
- Analyze Each Option
a. The terrestrial planets (e.g., Earth, Mars) have undergone significant geological changes over time, which may not accurately reflect the early Solar System’s composition.b. The giant planets (e.g., Jupiter, Saturn) also have experienced changes through their atmospheres and are mostly composed of hydrogen and helium, not representative of the early Solar System’s varied composition.c. The Sun, while massive and central to the Solar System, primarily consists of hydrogen and helium and does not provide details about the solid material present in the early Solar System.d. Asteroids and comets are largely unchanged remnants from the early Solar System and can provide information about its original composition as they have been less affected by processes that alter their makeup.
03
- Determine the Best Option
From the analysis, asteroids and comets appear to be the most suitable objects for studying the early Solar System's composition because they have remained relatively unchanged since that time.
04
- Conclude the Solution
Based on the detailed assessment, the best objects to study to learn about the composition of the early Solar System are the 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 essentially rocky remnants from the early Solar System. These small, irregularly shaped bodies orbit primarily between Mars and Jupiter in a region known as the asteroid belt. Because they have not changed much since the Solar System formed, asteroids act as time capsules. They contain clues about the conditions and materials present in the early Solar System. By studying the composition of asteroids, scientists can infer the distribution of different elements and minerals during the time when planets were forming. Some of the common types of asteroids include:
- C-type (carbonaceous) asteroids: composed mainly of carbon and are the most common type.
- S-type (silicaceous) asteroids: made up of silicate minerals and nickel-iron.
- M-type (metallic) asteroids: primarily composed of metallic iron and nickel.
comets
Comets are icy bodies that originate from the outer parts of the Solar System. They are often called 'dirty snowballs' because they are composed of ice, dust, and rocky material. When they come close to the Sun, they develop a glowing coma and tails composed of gas and dust. Similar to asteroids, comets have changed very little over millions of years. However, their composition includes more volatile compounds like water ice, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia. The origins of comets are primarily in two regions:
- The Kuiper Belt: a region beyond Neptune's orbit containing many small icy bodies. Short-period comets originate from here.
- The Oort Cloud: a theoretical spherical shell of icy objects surrounding the Solar System. Long-period comets are believed to come from this area.
planetary geology
Planetary geology involves studying the composition, structure, and history of planets and their moons. This field includes examining surface features, rock formations, and geological processes such as volcanism, tectonics, and erosion. While the geology of terrestrial planets like Earth and Mars offers rich information about planetary evolution, these bodies have undergone significant changes since their formation. These changes can obscure the original materials from the early Solar System. Nevertheless, planetary geology helps us understand:
- The history of volcanic activity, which can reveal the internal composition.
- Impact cratering, which represents both the history of bombardment and potential exposure of older materials.
- Surface processes like weathering and erosion, which show climate changes over time.
Solar System formation
The formation of the Solar System began about 4.6 billion years ago from a giant molecular cloud. The collapse of this cloud, likely triggered by a nearby supernova, led to the formation of a spinning disk of gas and dust, called the solar nebula. The Sun formed at the center of this disk. The remaining materials clumped together to form planetesimals, which eventually coalesced into planets. Understanding the initial conditions and processes of Solar System formation involves studying:
- The distribution of elements and isotopes, hinting at the primordial materials present.
- The mixture of solid and volatile compounds, which shows how temperatures varied in different regions of the nebula.
- The presence of meteorites, which are considered pieces of planetesimals and provide direct evidence of early Solar System materials.
