Question 1

Why do particles like meteors and comets glow in the evening sky?
A) They are made from gases that burn in the Earth's atmosphere.
B) They are very hot while they are in space and they cool off in the Earth's atmosphere.
C) They glow like the sun until they enter the Earth's atmosphere.
D) Friction from the Earth's atmosphere causes them to heat up.
E) Friction from the Earth's atmosphere causes them to cool down.

Accepted Answer

Friction from the Earth's atmosphere causes particles like meteors and comets to heat up and glow in the evening sky. This is also known as "shooting stars" or meteor showers.

Question 2

According to astronomical evidence,approximately how long ago did the Big Bang occur?
A) 4000 years ago
B) 4 million years ago
C) 14 million years ago
D) 14 billion years ago
E) 140 billion years ago

Accepted Answer

The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe began as a singularity and has been expanding for billions of years. Based on observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation and the rate of expansion of the universe, scientists estimate that the Big Bang occurred approximately 14 billion years ago.

Question 3

Approximately how old is the sun?
A) 14 billion years old
B) 14 million years old
C) 5 billion years old
D) 5 million years old
E) 5 thousand years old

Accepted Answer

The estimated age of the sun is around 5 billion years old, based on scientific calculations and observations. This age is determined through measurements of radioactive decay, the orbits of planets, and the composition of the sun itself. Option A and B are too old for the age of the sun, and options D and E are too young. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 4

Where is the asteroid belt located?
A) between the orbits of Venus and Earth
B) between the orbits of Earth and Mars
C) between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
D) between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn
E) beyond the orbits of Neptune and Pluto

Accepted Answer

The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, consisting of numerous small bodies, some of which are large enough to be classified as dwarf planets.

Question 5

Approximately how old is the planet Earth?
A) 4.6 billion years old
B) 4.6 million years old
C) 14 million years old
D) 5,000 years old
E) 5,000,000 years old

Accepted Answer

Scientists estimate that the age of the planet Earth is around 4.6 billion years old based on radiometric dating of rocks and other evidence.

Question 6

What is the significance of the Tunguska River Valley in Siberia in terms of asteroids?
A) It is where the largest comet was sighted.
B) It is where a large airburst of an asteroid occurred in recent history.
C) It is the site of a crater that marks the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs.
D) It is the site of the largest impact crater ever recorded on Earth.
E) It is a site of enormous wildfires in prehistoric times.

Accepted Answer

The Tunguska River Valley in Siberia is significant because in 1908, a large airburst of an asteroid occurred above the region. This event, known as the Tunguska event, caused widespread damage and is considered one of the largest natural explosions in human history.

Question 7

Which of the following describes a meteorite?
A) large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
B) moderate diameter (<10m) object originating from collisions of asteroids
C) small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
D) variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
E) icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system

Accepted Answer

A meteorite is a variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface after surviving entry through Earth's atmosphere. A is describing an asteroid, B is describing a meteor, C is describing a meteoroid, and E is describing a comet.

Question 8

What triggered the formation of the sun?
A) supernova explosion
B) Big Bang explosion
C) radioactive decay of uranium
D) electromagnetic attractions
E) many comets colliding

Accepted Answer

A supernova explosion can trigger the formation of a star by providing the necessary shock wave to compress nearby gas and dust, leading to gravitational collapse and eventually the birth of a new star, such as the sun.

Question 9

Comets are distinguished from meteoroids and asteroids by
A) their origin in the comet belt between Mars and Jupiter.
B) their very small size.
C) their metallic core.
D) their glowing tail of gas and dust.
E) a spectacular burst of light.

Accepted Answer

Comets are distinguished from meteoroids and asteroids by their glowing tail of gas and dust.

Note: Option A is incorrect because the comet belt is actually located beyond Neptune's orbit, not between Mars and Jupiter. Option B is incorrect because comets can range in size from just a few meters to tens of kilometers. Option C is incorrect because while comets do have a small metallic core, this is not unique to comets and is also present in asteroids. Option E is incorrect because while comets can produce a spectacular burst of light (e.g. a comet's coma and tail), this is also possible with other astronomical phenomena, such as supernovae.

Question 10

Which of the following describes a comet?
A) moderate diameter (<10m) object originating from collisions of asteroids
B) large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
C) small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
D) variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
E) icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system

Accepted Answer

A comet is an icy object that originates from beyond the orbit of Neptune and appears to have a tail as it approaches the sun and heats up, causing some of the ice to vaporize and release debris that creates a glowing trail or tail.

Question 11

The Kuiper belt
A) is located in the inner solar system.
B) occurs between Jupiter and Uranus.
C) is where some comets occur.
D) is where most meteors originate.
E) is where most asteroids originate.

Accepted Answer

The Kuiper belt is a region of the outer solar system beyond Neptune's orbit where many comets originate.

Question 12

Tunguska-type events are thought to occur about once every
A) 100 years.
B) 1000 years.
C) 100 000 years.
D) 1 million years.
E) 100 million years.

Accepted Answer

Tunguska-type events, which refer to large-scale explosions caused by meteoroid impacts, are estimated to occur about once every 1000 years, based on the frequency of similar events in the past.

Question 13

What were the two main components of the solar nebula?
A) iron and oxygen
B) iron and hydrogen
C) iron and helium
D) oxygen and helium
E) hydrogen and helium

Accepted Answer

The two main components of the solar nebula were hydrogen and helium, which comprised approximately 98% of its mass. Other elements, including iron and oxygen, were present in smaller amounts.

Question 14

How are particles in the solar system classified by scientists?
A) based on diameter and temperature
B) based on speed of entry and mass
C) based on diameter and speed of entry
D) based on composition and diameter
E) based on mass and composition

Accepted Answer

Scientists classify particles in the solar system based on their composition and diameter. This helps to distinguish between different types of objects, such as asteroids, comets, and planets, which can provide valuable information about the formation and evolution of our solar system.

Question 15

The Tunguska event was
A) an impact.
B) created by a comet.
C) an airburst.
D) the largest impact in Earth history.
E) created by a meteorite.

Accepted Answer

The Tunguska event was an airburst, not an impact. It is believed to have been caused by the explosion of a large meteoroid or comet in the Earth's atmosphere.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT true of the Tunguska Event occurring in Siberia in 1908?
A) The crater created by the asteroid was found to be approximately 1 km in diameter.
B) Over 2000 km² of forest was burned and flattened.
C) The asteroid is thought to be between 25 m to 50 m in diameter.
D) The blast from the explosion was heard over an area of at least 1 million km² .
E) These types of events are thought to occur about once every 1000 years.

Accepted Answer

There was no crater found at the site of the Tunguska Event.

Question 17

What is a meteor?
A) a rocky body less than a few meters across
B) a dust-sized particle in the asteroid belt
C) a rocky, metallic object up to 1000 km in diameter
D) an icy, rocky body with a highly elliptical orbit
E) a meteoroid that has entered Earth's atmosphere

Accepted Answer

A meteor is a meteoroid that has entered Earth's atmosphere. This option is the only one that accurately describes a meteor.

Question 18

Which of the following geological units comprises the greatest length of time in Earth's history?
A) Cenozoic
B) Mesozoic
C) Pleistocene
D) Precambrian
E) Cretaceous

Accepted Answer

The Precambrian is the longest geological unit, comprising about 88% of Earth's history. The other options represent much shorter periods of time within the geological timescale.

Question 19

Bombardment of the Earth by asteroids and comets early in its history
A) led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
B) contributed to the growth of the planet.
C) caused the Earth to stop growing.
D) pushed the Earth out of its orbit.
E) created the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

Bombardment of the Earth by asteroids and comets early in its history contributed to the growth of the planet through the accumulation of material, including water and organic molecules, which may have played a role in the development of life.

Question 20

Which of the following describes an asteroid?
A) large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
B) small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
C) variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
D) icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system
E) generic name for all planetary bodies

Accepted Answer

An asteroid is a large diameter object (ranging from 10 meters to 1000 kilometers) that originates from the asteroid belt located between Jupiter and Mars.

Quiz 15: Meteorite Impacts and Extinctions

Why do particles like meteors and comets glow in the evening sky?

According to astronomical evidence,approximately how long ago did the Big Bang occur?

Approximately how old is the sun?

Where is the asteroid belt located?

Approximately how old is the planet Earth?

What is the significance of the Tunguska River Valley in Siberia in terms of asteroids?

Which of the following describes a meteorite?

What triggered the formation of the sun?

Comets are distinguished from meteoroids and asteroids by

Which of the following describes a comet?

The Kuiper belt

Tunguska-type events are thought to occur about once every

What were the two main components of the solar nebula?

How are particles in the solar system classified by scientists?

The Tunguska event was

Which of the following is NOT true of the Tunguska Event occurring in Siberia in 1908?

What is a meteor?

Which of the following geological units comprises the greatest length of time in Earth's history?

Bombardment of the Earth by asteroids and comets early in its history

Which of the following describes an asteroid?