ES SOL Review 07 - Comets, Asteroids, Meteors

Which of the following best describes a comet?

• It is made of ice, rock, and dust.

• It is located between Mars and Jupiter

• It has a short elliptical orbit

• Comets are leftover fragments from the time when planets formed in the solar system.

Answer explanation

The correct choice describes a comet accurately, as it is primarily composed of ice, rock, and dust. Other options do not universally apply to all comets, making this the best description.

Which is found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter?

• Comets

• Asteroids

• Meteors

• Stars

Answer explanation

The region between Mars and Jupiter is known as the asteroid belt, which contains numerous asteroids. Comets and meteors are not primarily found in this region, and stars are not located in the asteroid belt.

A meteorite is different from a comet mainly because __.

• has a tail of ice and gas

• is found in orbit between Jupiter and Mars

• enters the Earth's atmoshere

Answer explanation

A meteorite is a fragment of a comet or asteroid that has entered the Earth's atmosphere. Unlike comets, which have tails of ice and gas, meteorites are specifically identified by their entry into our atmosphere.

The tail of a comet usually faces __.

• toward the sun

• toward the Earth

• away from the Sun

Answer explanation

The tail of a comet always faces away from the Sun due to the solar wind and radiation pressure, which push the gas and dust away from the Sun, creating the characteristic tail that points in the opposite direction.

The shape of comet's paths are __.

• circular

• elliptical

• irregular

Answer explanation

The paths of comets are primarily elliptical due to the gravitational forces exerted by the Sun and other celestial bodies. This elliptical shape allows comets to travel long distances in their orbits.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Check all the following statements that are TRUE.

• Asteroids are made of rock and metal.

• Comets are made of ice, rock, and dust.

• Comets cannot be found in the Oort Cloud.

Answer explanation

Asteroids are indeed made of rock and metal, while comets consist of ice, rock, and dust. The statement that comets cannot be found in the Oort Cloud is false, as they are believed to originate from there.

What compromises the structure of a comet?

• Nucleus, Coma, Dust tail, Ice

• Nucleus, Dust tail & gases

• Nucleus, Coma, dust tail & gas tail (ion tail)

Answer explanation

A comet's structure includes the nucleus, which is solid, the coma (a cloud of gas and dust), the dust tail, and the gas tail (ion tail). The correct choice encompasses all these components, making it the most comprehensive answer.

As comets approach the sun they travel faster and have __.

• shorter tails

• medium tails

• longer tails

• no tails due to solar winds

Answer explanation

As comets approach the sun, they gain speed due to gravitational forces, which causes the ice and gas to vaporize more rapidly, resulting in longer tails. Therefore, the correct answer is 'longer tails'.

A meteoroid is found __.

• in Space

• on Earth

• in Mars

Answer explanation

A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space. It is found in space before it enters the Earth's atmosphere. Therefore, the correct answer is 'in Space'.

What creates a bowl shaped hole known as a crater?

• Meteor

• Meteorite

• Meteoroid

Answer explanation

A crater is formed when a meteorite, which is a solid fragment from space that survives its passage through the atmosphere, impacts a surface, creating a bowl-shaped hole.