Trivia Quiz On Comets And Meteorites
Unit 2 Week 11 of Earth science for the Logic stage. This is a short quiz. When you are finished this, review all your material and go take the unit test that is on the unit 2 page.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Meteorids are
- A.
Chunks of ice made up of dust and water
- B.
Chuncks of metallic stony matter
- C.
Luminous balls of plasma
Correct Answer
B. Chuncks of metallic stony matterExplanation
Meteoroids are chunks of metallic stony matter. They are small rocky or metallic objects that orbit the sun and are significantly smaller than asteroids. When meteoroids enter the Earth's atmosphere, they become meteors and create a streak of light known as a shooting star. If a meteoroid survives the journey through the atmosphere and lands on Earth's surface, it is then called a meteorite. These meteoroids are composed of a combination of metals and rocks, making them chunks of metallic stony matter.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Meteors are bright streaks of light and smoke that are heated by
- A.
Air condensation
- B.
Air friction
- C.
Air compression
Correct Answer
C. Air compressionExplanation
Meteors are bright streaks of light and smoke that are heated by air compression. As a meteor enters the Earth's atmosphere, it compresses the air in front of it, causing the air molecules to heat up and emit light. This phenomenon is known as air compression. The friction and condensation of air are not the main factors responsible for the bright streaks of light and smoke observed during meteor showers.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What are asteroids?
- A.
Pieces of stars
- B.
Small planets
- C.
Large rock-like chunks with some metals that orbit the sun
Correct Answer
C. Large rock-like chunks with some metals that orbit the sunExplanation
Asteroids are large rock-like chunks with some metals that orbit the sun. They are not pieces of stars or small planets but rather objects that are smaller than planets but larger than meteoroids. These rocky bodies are remnants from the early formation of the solar system and are found primarily in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. They can vary in size, shape, and composition, with some containing valuable metals like iron and nickel.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is a comet made of?
- A.
Ice made from frozen gases, water, and dust
- B.
Moon dust
- C.
Fire and ice
Correct Answer
A. Ice made from frozen gases, water, and dustExplanation
Comets are made primarily of ice, which is made from frozen gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia, along with water and dust. As a comet approaches the Sun, the heat causes the ice to vaporize, creating a glowing coma around the nucleus. The dust and gas released from the comet form a tail that points away from the Sun. This composition of ice and dust is what gives comets their characteristic appearance and behavior.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What is the asteroid belt?
- A.
An area between the orbits of Mars amd Jupiter where most asteroids are found
- B.
A belt of rocks across a planet
- C.
A belt of rocks crossing the sun
Correct Answer
A. An area between the orbits of Mars amd Jupiter where most asteroids are foundExplanation
The asteroid belt is an area located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where the majority of asteroids in our solar system are found. It is not a belt of rocks across a planet or crossing the sun. This region is characterized by a large number of small celestial bodies, primarily composed of rock and metal, that orbit the sun. These asteroids vary in size, ranging from small boulders to objects several hundred kilometers in diameter. The gravitational forces exerted by Jupiter's and Mars' orbits prevent these asteroids from coalescing into a planet, resulting in the formation of the asteroid belt.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which comet is the often considered the most famous?
- A.
Holly's comet
- B.
Halley's comet
- C.
Gioppo's comet
Correct Answer
B. Halley's cometExplanation
Halley's comet is often considered the most famous comet. It is named after astronomer Edmond Halley, who predicted its return in 1758. Halley's comet has a long history of observations, with records dating back to ancient civilizations. It is known for its periodic appearances, with a cycle of approximately 76 years. The comet's visibility and distinctive tail have made it a popular subject of study and fascination among astronomers and the general public. Its frequent appearances and significant contributions to scientific knowledge make Halley's comet the most famous among the options provided.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What are the three parts of a comet?
- A.
The head, body, and tail
- B.
The nucleus, coma, and tail
- C.
The nucleus, protons, and electrons
Correct Answer
B. The nucleus, coma, and tailExplanation
A comet is composed of three main parts: the nucleus, coma, and tail. The nucleus is the solid core of the comet, consisting of ice, dust, and rocky material. It is the heart of the comet and contains most of its mass. The coma is a cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the nucleus, created as the comet approaches the Sun and heats up. It can be seen as a fuzzy, glowing area around the nucleus. The tail is the most visible part of a comet and is formed as the Sun's radiation pushes the coma and dust particles away from the nucleus, creating a glowing trail that can extend for millions of kilometers.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The ___________ is the magnetic field that surrounds the Earth. It protects the Earth from a lot of the harmful energy arriving from the Sun.
Correct Answer
MagnetosphereExplanation
The magnetosphere is the correct answer because it refers to the magnetic field that surrounds the Earth. This magnetic field acts as a shield, protecting the Earth from harmful energy coming from the Sun. The magnetosphere deflects and traps charged particles from the solar wind, preventing them from directly impacting the Earth's surface. This protective barrier is crucial for maintaining the planet's atmosphere and preventing the erosion of its surface by solar radiation.Rate this question:
- 9.
What does the tail of the comet reflect?
- A.
The sun
- B.
The head of the comet
- C.
Earth
Correct Answer
A. The sunExplanation
The tail of a comet reflects the sun. As a comet approaches the sun, the heat causes the icy nucleus of the comet to vaporize and release gas and dust. The solar wind then pushes these particles away from the sun, forming a glowing tail that can be seen from Earth. This tail reflects the sunlight, making it visible to us.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Asteroids are thought to be objects left over from what?
- A.
The disk of matter that formed the planets.
- B.
The disk of matter that formed the Sun
Correct Answer
A. The disk of matter that formed the planets.Explanation
Asteroids are believed to be remnants from the disk of matter that formed the planets. This disk, also known as the protoplanetary disk, was a rotating disk of gas and dust that surrounded the young Sun. As the planets formed, some of the material in the disk came together to form larger bodies, while others remained as smaller objects like asteroids. Therefore, asteroids are thought to be leftover material from the early stages of planetary formation.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which way does the tail of a comet flow?
- A.
The tail flows away from the sun, and does not necessarily point the direction the comet is moving.
- B.
The tail flows towards the sun, and points the direction the comet in which the comet is moving.
Correct Answer
A. The tail flows away from the sun, and does not necessarily point the direction the comet is moving.Explanation
The tail of a comet flows away from the sun because of the solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun. This wind pushes the gas and dust particles in the comet's tail away from the sun, creating the appearance of a flowing tail. The direction of the tail does not necessarily indicate the direction in which the comet is moving because the gravitational forces and other factors can influence the comet's trajectory.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The ___________ part of a comet is composed of the nucleus and the coma.
Correct Answer
HeadExplanation
The head of a comet refers to the part that is composed of the nucleus and the coma. The nucleus is the solid core of the comet, made up of ice, rock, and dust. The coma is the glowing cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the nucleus. Together, the nucleus and coma make up the head of the comet.Rate this question:
- 13.
___________ is the name for this quality of gas and dust near the nucleus.
- A.
Coma
- B.
Nucleus
- C.
Tail
- D.
Dust
Correct Answer
A. ComaExplanation
The quality of gas and dust near the nucleus of a comet is known as the coma. The coma is a cloud-like region that surrounds the nucleus and is composed of gas and dust particles that have been released from the nucleus as the comet approaches the Sun. The coma is typically larger and more diffuse than the nucleus and can extend for thousands of kilometers. It is often visible as a fuzzy, glowing region around the nucleus when the comet is close to the Sun.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Comets orbit the Sun in very large elliptical orbits.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Comets orbit the Sun in very large elliptical orbits. This statement is true because comets are celestial bodies composed of ice, dust, and rocky material that orbit the Sun. Their orbits are highly elliptical, meaning they have a stretched-out shape rather than a perfect circle. As comets approach the Sun, they heat up and release gas and dust, forming a glowing coma and often a tail. This phenomenon is visible from Earth and has been observed for centuries.Rate this question:
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- 15.
The ice that is composed in Comets is a form of what?
- A.
Frozen gasses
- B.
Frozen water
- C.
Frozen dust particles
Correct Answer
A. Frozen gassesExplanation
Comets are composed of various materials, including frozen gasses such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia. These gasses freeze in the extremely cold temperatures of space, forming the ice that is found in comets. Therefore, the correct answer is frozen gasses.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Comets are composed of mostly ice and dust
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Comets are composed mostly of ice and dust. This is because comets are formed from the remnants of the early solar system, which include a mixture of rock, dust, and frozen gases. As a comet approaches the sun, the heat causes the ice to vaporize and release gas and dust particles, forming a glowing coma and a tail that can be seen from Earth. The presence of ice and dust in comets is supported by scientific observations and analysis of comet samples. Therefore, the statement "Comets are composed of mostly ice and dust" is true.Rate this question:
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- 17.
_________ is the main part of a Comet.
Correct Answer
NucleusExplanation
The main part of a comet is called the nucleus. The nucleus is a solid core made up of ice, dust, and rocky material. It is relatively small in size, usually a few kilometers in diameter. The nucleus is the source of a comet's activity, as it heats up when it gets closer to the Sun, causing the ice to vaporize and create a glowing coma and tail.Rate this question:
- 18.
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through the debris left by an asteroid.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through the debris left by a comet, not an asteroid. Comets are made up of ice and dust, which vaporize when they enter Earth's atmosphere, creating the streaks of light we see as meteors. Asteroids, on the other hand, are rocky and metallic objects that orbit the Sun. While asteroids can also enter Earth's atmosphere and create meteors, they do not cause meteor showers.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The debris that makes up Meteor Showers is usually about the size of what?
- A.
The size of Texas
- B.
Size of dust particles
- C.
The size of a baseball
Correct Answer
B. Size of dust particlesExplanation
Meteor showers are caused by the Earth passing through the debris trail left behind by a comet. This debris is typically made up of small particles, often no larger than dust particles. These particles burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, creating the streaks of light we see as meteors. Therefore, the correct answer is "size of dust particles."Rate this question:
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- 20.
______________are periods when up to 100 meteors an hour are visible.
Correct Answer
Meteor ShowersExplanation
Meteor showers are periods when up to 100 meteors an hour are visible. During these events, the Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet or asteroid. As the debris enters the Earth's atmosphere, it burns up and creates streaks of light in the sky, known as meteors. Meteor showers occur regularly throughout the year and are named after the constellation from which they appear to radiate. They are popular among stargazers and can provide a spectacular display of shooting stars.Rate this question:
- 21.
______ is what scientists call the flow of energy from the Sun
- A.
Solar flare
- B.
Solar wind
- C.
Solar eclipse
- D.
Comet
Correct Answer
B. Solar windExplanation
The correct answer is solar wind. Solar wind refers to the continuous flow of charged particles, mainly protons and electrons, from the Sun's outer atmosphere into space. This flow of energy from the Sun is a constant phenomenon and plays a crucial role in shaping the space environment around our planet and other celestial bodies. Solar flares are intense bursts of energy and light from the Sun's surface, solar eclipses occur when the Moon blocks the Sun's light, and comets are icy bodies that orbit the Sun.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Meteorites come mainly from the remnants of asteroids. A few have been linked to the Moon or Mars.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Meteorites do not come mainly from the remnants of asteroids. Instead, they come from various sources such as asteroids, comets, and even the Moon or Mars. Therefore, the statement that meteorites come mainly from the remnants of asteroids is false.Rate this question:
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- 23.
When leaving space, the________ left from the tail of a comet remains in space after the comet has moved on.
Correct Answer
dustExplanation
When a comet moves through space, it leaves a trail of dust particles behind it. These dust particles are made up of various materials, such as rock and ice, that were once part of the comet's nucleus. Even after the comet has moved on, this dust remains in space, creating a visible trail known as the comet's tail. This tail can be seen from Earth when the comet passes close to our planet.Rate this question:
- 24.
What are in meteors?
- A.
Meteors are can be dust grains, little chunks of metal, bits of rocks, sand, or even chunks of ice.
- B.
They are alien space ships that crash into earth
- C.
They are parts off of the space station
Correct Answer
A. Meteors are can be dust grains, little chunks of metal, bits of rocks, sand, or even chunks of ice.Explanation
Meteors can be composed of various materials such as dust grains, little chunks of metal, bits of rocks, sand, or even chunks of ice. This means that meteors can consist of a wide range of substances found in space.Rate this question:
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- 25.
How big are meteorites?
- A.
Meteorites range from the size of a small pebble to a large bolder. Most common meteorites are only a couple inches wide.
- B.
They are the size of baseballs, not any bigger or smaller
- C.
They are as big as cars
Correct Answer
A. Meteorites range from the size of a small pebble to a large bolder. Most common meteorites are only a couple inches wide.Explanation
Meteorites can vary in size, ranging from a small pebble to a large boulder. The most common meteorites are typically only a few inches wide. This means that meteorites can be larger or smaller than a baseball, and they are definitely not as big as cars.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Why are meteors so bright in the night sky?
- A.
The color gets reflected and you can see it well
- B.
They have bright lights them
- C.
The friction between the earths atmosphere and the meteoroids create a lot of heat, which builds up becoming fire and is easily visible in the night sky.
Correct Answer
C. The friction between the earths atmosphere and the meteoroids create a lot of heat, which builds up becoming fire and is easily visible in the night sky.Explanation
Meteors are so bright in the night sky because of the friction between the Earth's atmosphere and the meteoroids. This friction creates a lot of heat, causing the meteoroids to heat up and ignite, resulting in a fiery trail that is easily visible in the night sky.Rate this question:
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- 27.
Where do meteors come from?
- A.
They come from space ships that want to destroy the earth
- B.
When comets revolve around their orbit they create tails. These tails leave behind debris and those little dust like particles become meteors.
- C.
People launch rocks into the air and then they fall to ground
Correct Answer
B. When comets revolve around their orbit they create tails. These tails leave behind debris and those little dust like particles become meteors. -
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