Meteors and Other Planetary Surfaces

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteorite?

• A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic object in space, while a meteorite is a meteoroid that has landed on Earth's surface.

• A meteoroid is a meteorite that is larger in size than a meteor.

• A meteoroid is a meteorite that has not yet entered Earth's atmosphere.

• A meteoroid is a meteorite that has burned up in Earth's atmosphere.

What are the characteristics of asteroids?

• Asteroids are formed from the collision of comets.

• Asteroids are made up of ice and water.

• Asteroids are small rocky objects that orbit the Sun and are remnants from the early formation of our solar system.

• Asteroids are large gas giants that orbit the Sun.

How are impact craters formed?

• Impact craters are formed when a meteorite collides with a planet or moon.

• Impact craters are formed by tectonic plate movement.

• Impact craters are formed by erosion.

• Impact craters are formed by volcanic activity.

What is the composition of most meteoroids?

• wood and plastic

• gas and plasma

• ice and dust

• rock and metal

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

• It bounces off the atmosphere and continues into space.

• It disintegrates into smaller pieces and falls to the ground.

• It transforms into a comet and orbits the Earth.

• It burns up and creates a meteor or shooting star.

Where are Asteroids found in the Solar System?

• Between Earth and Mars
• In the Oort Cloud beyond Neptune
• In the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter
• Close to the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

A light streaking across the night sky is classified as a/an....

• Meteorite
• Asteroid
• Comet
• Meteor

Most meteors entering Earth's atmosphere are how big?

• A grain of sand or small pebble

• Size of a car

• Size of a football field

• State of Arizona

Meteorites...

•  hit the ground
• burn up completely in the atmosphere
• debris from asteroids/comets that float around in space

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Meteors...

• burn up completely in the atmosphere producing streaks of light
• hit the ground
• debris from asteroids/comets floating around in space