Worksheet Chapter 13: Meteoroid, Asteroid, Comet

1. True or False: Earth's atmosphere helps protect the planet by burning up smaller space debris before it impacts the surface.

2. Explain how a major asteroid impact on Earth could lead to a mass extinction event among living organisms.

3. Fill in the blank: The majority of asteroids in the Solar System orbit the Sun in a belt situated between the planets Mars and ________.

4. True or False: A comet's tail always points toward the Sun as it orbits.

5. Distinguish between a meteoroid, a meteor, and a meteorite based on their location and condition.

6. Name the three major structural parts of a comet and briefly describe the composition of each part.

7. Describe why a comet's tail always points away from the Sun, even when the comet is traveling away from the Sun.

8. State TWO main physical differences between an asteroid and a comet.

9. Which of the following bodies is commonly referred to as a 'minor planet'?

10. Explain why a comet forms a glowing coma and tail only when it comes near the Sun.