Astronomy Practice Exam

What typically happens to a meteor that enters Earth's atmosphere?

1. It will burn up and not reach the surface

2. It becomes a meteoroid

3. It transforms into a comet

4. It collides with the Earth

The correct answer is: It will burn up and not reach the surface

When a meteor enters Earth's atmosphere, it encounters intense friction due to the high velocity at which it travels. This friction generates significant heat, causing the meteor to burn up in the atmosphere before it has a chance to reach the surface of the Earth. Most meteors are small and disintegrate completely, resulting in bright streaks of light known as meteors or "shooting stars." In some cases, if the meteor is sufficiently large to survive its fiery passage through the atmosphere, it can reach the ground and then be classified as a meteorite. However, the majority of meteors do not survive the transition through the atmosphere, leading to the conclusion that they typically burn up rather than colliding with the Earth's surface. The other options do not accurately represent the process. A meteoroid refers to a smaller celestial object in space, while a comet is a different type of object that consists of ice and dust, not related to a meteor's atmospheric entry. The possibility of a collision with Earth does exist, but it represents a much rarer outcome. Overall, the process of burning up in the atmosphere is the most common fate for the vast majority of meteors.