Ch. 14

Compared to asteroids, comets show all of these properties EXCEPT a) their densities are higher. b) their orbits tend to be more elliptical. c) they tend to be made of ice. d) they can look fuzzy, while asteroids appear as moving points of light. e) their average distances from the Sun are far greater.

a) their densities are higher.

The asteroid belt is evidence of a) a planet that once orbited the Sun but later was destroyed. b) ancient material from the formation of the solar system. c) a collision between Jupiter and one of its larger moons. d) comets that were trapped by Jupiter's gravitational field.

b) ancient material from the formation of the solar system.

What causes a meteor shower?

c) Earth crosses the orbit of an old comet, whose orbit is littered with debris.

Most asteroids are found a) beyond the orbit of Neptune. b) between Earth and the Sun. c) between Mars and Jupiter. d) in the orbit of Jupiter, but 60 degrees ahead or behind it. e) orbiting the jovian planets in captured, retrograde orbits.

c) between Mars and Jupiter.

What kind of celestial object gives us a look at what matter was like before the solar system came into being? a) our Moon b) asteroids c) comets d) meteors e) ring particles

c) comets

Compared to Ida, Eros, and Gaspra, what was odd about Mathilde?

d) It was less dense than rock, but more than ice, suggesting a porous structure.

What class of objects is the greatest long-term threat to planet Earth? a) comets b) objects in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter c) escaped moons d) particles from planetary rings e) asteroids with Earth-crossing orbits

e) asteroids with Earth-crossing orbits