Physics Quiz: Asteroids, Meteoroids, and Comets

What are the main characteristics of asteroids?

• Huge, metallic, orbit the Earth, remnants from human space exploration

• Large, gaseous, orbit the Earth, remnants from recent solar system formation

• Medium-sized, icy, orbit the Moon, remnants from Earth's formation

• Small, rocky, orbit the Sun, remnants from early solar system formation

How do asteroids differ from meteoroids?

• Asteroids are smaller and mainly found in the asteroid belt, while meteoroids are larger and can be found in space or in the Earth's atmosphere.

• Asteroids and meteoroids are the same, just different names for the same objects.

• Asteroids are larger and mainly found in the asteroid belt, while meteoroids are smaller and can be found in space or in the Earth's atmosphere.

• Asteroids are made of ice and meteoroids are made of rock.

What is the composition of comets?

• Ice, dust, and rocky material

• Wood and glass

• Gas and liquid

• Metal and plastic

How do scientists observe and study comets?

• Microscopes and satellites

• Binoculars and submarines

• Magnifying glasses and airplanes

• Telescopes and spacecraft

What are the main characteristics of asteroids?

• Large, gaseous objects that orbit the Earth

• Made of ice and dust, orbiting the Moon

• Found only in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter

• Small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun

What is the composition of comets?

• Diamonds and gold

• Ice, dust, and rocky material

• Gas and liquid

• Plastic and metal

What causes a meteor shower?

• The Earth passing through the tail of a comet

• A collision between two asteroids

• The Moon blocking the Sun's rays

• A sudden increase in the Earth's gravity

A small asteroid found in space.

• meteor

• meteoroid

• meteorite

• comet

A meteor that hits the Earth's surface

• comet

• meteor

• meteoroid

• meteorite

A meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere.

• comet

• meteor

• meteoroid

• meteorite