Unit 5.1: Components of the Solar System

Front

What is the orbit of a comet like?

Back

A comet orbits the sun in an elliptical path that is inclined relative to the orbital planes of the planets.

Front

How does the speed of a comet change?

Back

The speed of a comet varies depending on its distance from the sun.

Front

What is the Oort cloud?

Back

The Oort cloud is a spherical region that surrounds the solar system, extending from the Kuiper belt to almost halfway to the nearest star, containing billions of comets.

Front

What is a meteor?

Back

A meteor is a bright streak of light that results when a meteoroid burns up in Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a relatively small, rocky body that travels through space.

Front

What is the Kuiper belt?

Back

The Kuiper belt is a region of the solar system that starts just beyond the orbit of Neptune and contains dwarf planets and other small bodies made mostly of ice.

Front

What are comets primarily made of?

Back

Comets are primarily made of ice, dust, and rocky material.

Front

What happens to a meteoroid when it enters Earth's atmosphere?

Back

When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it burns up and creates a meteor.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteor?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rocky body in space, while a meteor is the light phenomenon produced when a meteoroid burns up in the atmosphere.

Front

What is the significance of the Kuiper belt in the solar system?

Back

The Kuiper belt is significant because it contains many small icy bodies and is the source of short-period comets.