When you see the bright flash of a meteor,what are you actually seeing?
A)emission of visible light from a particle that has not yet entered Earth's atmosphere
B)the glow from a pea-size particle and the surrounding air as the particle burns up in our atmosphere
C)a star that has suddenly shot across the sky
D)the flash that occurs when a speeding rock from space hits the ground

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bright flash of a meteor is typically caused by a pea-size particle burning up in Earth's atmosphere. As the particle enters the atmosphere, it creates friction with the air molecules, heating up and shedding material in a process called ablation. The heated particle and surrounding air glow brightly, creating the visible streak of light we see in the sky.

When You See the Bright Flash of a Meteor,what Are