Here are 10 one-word answer type questions on Meteoroids, along with their answers and explanations:
1. What are small rocky or metallic bodies traveling through space called?
Answer: Meteoroids
Explanation: Meteoroids are small fragments of rock or metal that travel through space before entering Earth’s atmosphere .
2. What is a meteoroid called when it enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns up?
Answer: Meteor
Explanation: A meteor is a meteoroid that burns up upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, creating a streak of light known as a shooting star .
3. What is a meteor that survives its passage through the atmosphere and reaches Earth’s surface called?
Answer: Meteorite
Explanation: A meteorite is a fragment of a meteoroid that lands on Earth after passing through the atmosphere .
4. Which belt in the solar system contains many small rocky bodies, including meteoroids?
Answer: Asteroid Belt
Explanation: The Asteroid Belt, located between Mars and Jupiter, is a primary source of meteoroids .
5. Which celestial body’s gravitational pull attracts a large number of meteoroids?
Answer: Earth
Explanation: Earth’s gravity attracts meteoroids, many of which enter the atmosphere as meteors .
6. What is the name for a meteor shower that occurs annually in mid-August?
Answer: Perseids
Explanation: The Perseids meteor shower occurs every August when Earth passes through debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet .
7. What is the name of the large crater formed by a meteorite impact in Arizona, USA?
Answer: Barringer
Explanation: The Barringer Crater, also known as Meteor Crater, was formed by a meteorite impact about 50,000 years ago .
8. Which type of meteoroid is primarily composed of iron and nickel?
Answer: Metallic
Explanation: Metallic meteoroids consist mostly of iron and nickel and are more likely to survive passage through the atmosphere .
9. What term is used for the bright flash of light seen when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere?
Answer: Fireball
Explanation: A fireball is an exceptionally bright meteor that is visible over a wide area .
10. Which planet has the most meteoroid impacts due to its thin atmosphere?
Answer: Mercury
Explanation: Mercury has a heavily cratered surface because its thin atmosphere cannot protect it from meteoroid impacts .
These questions highlight key aspects of meteoroids, including their origin, impact on Earth, and characteristics.