Asteroids and Their Role in the Solar System

What dual role do asteroids play in relation to Earth?

• They are only a resource for Earth.

• They are only a threat to Earth.

• They are both a threat and a resource.

• They have no significant role.

How did the early solar system appear before planets formed?

• It was filled with fully formed planets.

• It was a calm and empty space.

• It was a chaotic mix of rocks and dust.

• It was dominated by a single large planet.

What is the primary force that accelerates the formation of planets from asteroids?

• Electricity

• Magnetism

• Gravity

• Wind

Why did a planet not form beyond Mars?

• The area was too cold for planet formation.

• There was not enough material.

• The Sun's heat was too intense.

• Jupiter's gravity disrupted the process.

What is the asteroid belt often described as?

• A place with only small rocks.

• A region with no asteroids.

• A graveyard for a planet that never formed.

• A peaceful region of space.

What is a common misconception about the size of asteroids in the asteroid belt?

• They are all metallic.

• They are all the same size.

• They are all very large.

• They are all very small.

What is the goal of the Dawn mission?

• To move asteroids closer to Earth.

• To create new asteroids.

• To destroy asteroids.

• To explore a mysterious distant realm.

What did the Dawn probe discover about Vesta?

• It has no core.

• It has an iron core like Earth.

• It is larger than Earth.

• It is made entirely of ice.

What is unique about the asteroid belt in the star system Epsilon Eridani?

• It has no asteroids.

• It has two asteroid belts.

• It is closer to Earth than our own belt.

• It is made entirely of water.

What does the diversity of asteroids tell us about their solar system?

• They provide no information.

• They indicate the presence of life.

• They reveal the history of planet formation.

• They show that all solar systems are identical.