Astronomy Practice Exam

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Which of the following statements is true about meteors?

They always hit the Earth's surface
They are composed of ice and gas
They become meteoroids when they reach the atmosphere
They are visible due to burning in the atmosphere

The correct answer is: They are visible due to burning in the atmosphere

The statement that meteors are visible due to burning in the atmosphere is accurate. When a meteoroid, which is a small particle from space, enters Earth’s atmosphere, it experiences intense friction with the air. This friction generates heat, causing the meteoroid to ignite and produce a bright streak of light known as a meteor. This phenomenon is often referred to as a "shooting star." The light emitted can vary in brightness and color, depending on the size, composition, and speed of the meteoroid. The other options do not reflect the correct characteristics of meteors. For instance, not all meteors reach the Earth’s surface; many burn up completely, which makes it untrue that they always hit the Earth. Furthermore, meteors are not mainly composed of ice and gas; they usually consist of rock and metal. Lastly, the term "meteoroid" refers specifically to the object before it enters the atmosphere, not after it begins to burn; thus, the statement about them becoming meteoroids when they reach the atmosphere is incorrect.