Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

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What do meteoroids become as they enter Earth's atmosphere?

  1. Comets

  2. Planets

  3. Meteors

  4. Asteroids

The correct answer is: Meteors

As meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere, they become meteors. This transformation occurs when these small space rocks, which can range in size from tiny grains to larger rocks, encounter the dense atmosphere and experience rapid deceleration due to friction with the air. This interaction generates intense heat, causing the meteoroids to glow brightly and produce a streak of light in the sky. These glowing trails are commonly referred to as "shooting stars" or meteors. Comets are icy bodies that release gas or dust, and they have distinct orbits, usually bringing them far from the Sun where they can develop their tails. Planets are large celestial bodies that orbit stars, and asteroids are also significant bodies that primarily reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The processes and characteristics associated with these celestial entities are fundamentally different from those of meteoroids as they enter the atmosphere.