Comets, Asteroids, Meteoroids, Meteors & Meteorites Flashcard

Front

What are meteors?

Back

Meteors are space rocks that burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, creating bright streaks of light often referred to as shooting stars.

Front

What are comets made of?

Back

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

Front

How do Mars and Jupiter protect Earth from asteroids?

Back

Mars and Jupiter help protect Earth by corraling and trapping asteroids with their massive gravities.

Front

What causes a comet's tail?

Back

A comet's tail is caused by the melting of ice and the expansion of gases as the comet orbits the sun.

Front

Why are meteorites valuable?

Back

Meteorites are valuable because they contain rare elements and materials.

Front

What is the difference between asteroids and meteoroids?

Back

Asteroids are larger rocky bodies that orbit the sun, while meteoroids are smaller fragments that can come from asteroids or comets.

Front

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

Back

When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor and burns up due to friction with the air.

Front

What is the main composition of asteroids?

Back

Asteroids are primarily composed of rock and metal.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the surface.

Front

How do comets differ from asteroids?

Back

Comets are composed of ice and dust, while asteroids are made mostly of rock and metal.