Astronomy
Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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Chapter 13, Problem 1E

Why are asteroids and comets important to our understanding of solar system history?

Expert Solution & Answer
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To determine

The importance of asteroids and comets in our understanding of solar system history.

Explanation of Solution

Asteroid is a metallic or rocky object that is orbiting around the Sun like other planets, but it is smaller than the planets and they show no evidence of atmosphere.

Comets are small body of ice and dust matter; it also revolves around the Sun and some of its material vaporizes when it comes near the Sun.

They both are small and differ by the types of material they are formed of. Due to their small size, they do not undergo chemical differentiation as large planets, hence their composition remains same over billions of years.

They provide the evidence for formation of solar system as asteroid were formed around the same time as the solar system and the phenomenon of extinction of Dinosaurs can be studied by studying the impact of collision of Asteroid on the Earth.

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Students have asked these similar questions
The Solar Nebula model introduces the concept of ‘frost line’. Where are asteroids and comets found with respect to this frost line? How is their location connected to their composition?
How would the solar system be different if the solar nebula had cooled, with a temperature half its actual value? [select all that apply]    options:   There would be more comets.   Life would have been very unlikely to evolve here.   There would be no comets.   There would be fewer asteroids.   There would be more asteroids.   Jovian planets would have formed closer to Sun.   Terrestrial planets would be large
a) What are the characteristics of a terrestrial planet? b) What are the characteristics of aJovian planet?

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