Chapter 15: Problem 17

Scientists can tell that certain meteorites came from the interior of an asteroid rather than from its outer layers. Explain how this is done.

Short Answer

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Scientists distinguish between meteorites that came from the interior of an asteroid and those from the outer layers by analyzing their chemical composition and structure. Meteorites from the asteroid’s interior have a higher metal content and exhibit different crystal structures due to experiencing more extreme conditions, while those from the outer layers contain less metals and different crystal structures. Scientists can determine each meteorite's origin using methods such as electron microscopy and spectroscopy.

Step by step solution

Understand what a meteorite is

A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from a source such as an asteroid or a comet that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or a moon.

Distinguish between interior and outer meteorites

Meteorites from the interior of an asteroid often have unique properties compared to those from the outer layers. Interior meteorites usually have a higher metal content and different crystal structures, due to the extreme amounts of pressure and higher temperatures they experienced within the asteroid. This is contrasted with meteorites from the outer layers, which often contain less metals and have different, less densely packed crystal structures as they were exposed to less extreme conditions.

Explanation of the determination process

Scientists can determine the origin of a meteorite by analyzing its chemical composition and structure using various analytical techniques such as electron microscopy and spectroscopy. The composition of meteorites can provide significant information about the general classification of the meteorite and in turn, about the conditions in which they formed. If a meteorite is determined to have high metal content and densely packed crystal structures, it is often concluded that it originated in an asteroid's interior.

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Scientists can tell that certain meteorites came from the interior of an asteroid rather than from its outer layers. Explain how this is done.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand what a meteorite is

Distinguish between interior and outer meteorites

Explanation of the determination process

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