/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 25 Choose the best answer to each o... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 9: Problem 25

Choose the best answer to each of the following. Explain your reasoning with one or more complete sentences. The asteroid belt lies between the orbits of (a) Earth and Mars. (b) Mars and Jupiter. (c) Jupiter and Saturn.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The asteroid belt is located between Mars and Jupiter.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Location of the Asteroid Belt

The asteroid belt is a region of space where a large number of asteroids are found orbiting the Sun. Identifying its location in the Solar System is crucial to solving the question.
02

Recall the Order of the Planets

Remember the order of the planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. This will help us pinpoint where the asteroid belt lies.
03

Determine Between Which Planets the Asteroid Belt is Located

The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This means it separates the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) from the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune).
04

Choose the Correct Option

Given the recall of planetary order and the knowledge that the asteroid belt is located between Mars and Jupiter, the correct answer is option (b).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Asteroid Belt
The Asteroid Belt is a fascinating region in our Solar System, filled with rocky remnants from the early days of planet formation. It lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This location is significant because it acts as a boundary separating the inner planets from the outer planets.

It is home to many thousands of asteroids, which are small rocky bodies. Ceres, the largest object in the belt, is even classified as a dwarf planet. The gravitational influence of Jupiter prevents these objects from forming a larger planetary body. Understanding the asteroid belt helps us learn more about the building blocks of our Solar System.
Order of Planets
Knowing the order of the planets in our Solar System is essential for understanding the layout and dynamics that govern planetary movement. The correct order from the Sun outward is:
  • Mercury
  • Venus
  • Earth
  • Mars
  • Jupiter
  • Saturn
  • Uranus
  • Neptune

This sequence helps us to locate major features in the Solar System, such as the Asteroid Belt, which is found between Mars and Jupiter. Understanding the planetary order provides clarity on the arrangement and relative distances of planets from the Sun.
Inner and Outer Planets
The planets in our Solar System can be categorized into two groups: inner and outer planets. This classification is based on their position relative to the Asteroid Belt.

  • **Inner planets** - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are known as the terrestrial planets. They have solid, rocky surfaces and are closer to the Sun.
  • **Outer planets** - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are referred to as the gas giants (or ice giants for Uranus and Neptune). They are composed mainly of gases and are much larger in size.

This division helps astronomers study planetary formation and the physical characteristics distinct to each group.
Mars
Mars, often known as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance, is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is located next to the Asteroid Belt from the inner side.

Mars is known for its distinctive features such as the largest volcano and the deepest canyon in the Solar System. It has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide, and evidence of water-ice suggests it may have once supported liquid water.

Due to its similarities to Earth, researchers are exploring Mars for signs of past or present life, making it a key focus for future space missions.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System and sits just beyond the Asteroid Belt. Its enormous size contributes to its powerful gravitational field, which significantly influences the Asteroid Belt.

This gas giant is famous for its many moons and the Great Red Spot, a massive storm larger than Earth. Jupiter's atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium, with intricate cloud patterns.

As part of the group of outer planets, Jupiter's immense size and mass protect the inner Solar System from potential asteroid impacts, acting as a cosmic shield.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Be sure to show all calculations clearly and state your final answers in complete sentences. A relatively small impact crater 20 kilometers in diameter could be made by a comet 2 kilometers in diameter traveling at 30 kilometers \((30,000\) meters) per second. a. Assume that the comet has a total mass of \(4.2 \times 10^{12}\) kilograms. What is its total kinetic energy? (Hint: The kinetic energy is equal to \(\frac{1}{2} m v^{2}\), where \(m\) is the comet's mass and \(v\) is its speed. If you use mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second, the answer for kinetic energy will have units of joules. b. Convert your answer from part (a) to an equivalent in megatons of TNT, the unit used for nuclear bombs. Comment on the degree of devastation the impact of such a comet could cause if it struck a populated region on Earth. (Hint: One megaton of TNT releases \(4.2 \times 10^{15}\) joules of energy.

Describe in your own words why comets have tails. Why do most comets have two distinct visible tails, and why do the tails go in different directions? Why is the third, invisible tail of small pebbles of interest to us on Earth?

What does a comet look like when it is far from the Sun? How does its appearance change when it is near the Sun? What happens to comets that make many passes near the Sun?

Consider the following hypothetical discoveries. (These are not real discoveries.) In light of what you've learned about the formation of our solar system, decide whether each discovery should be considered reasonable or surprising. Explain clearly; not all these have definitive answers, so your explanation is more important than your chosen answer. Studies of a large object in the Kuiper belt reveal that it is made almost entirely of rocky (as opposed to icy) material.

Consider the following hypothetical discoveries. (These are not real discoveries.) In light of what you've learned about the formation of our solar system, decide whether each discovery should be considered reasonable or surprising. Explain clearly; not all these have definitive answers, so your explanation is more important than your chosen answer. Astronomers discover a previously unknown comet that will be brightly visible in our night sky about 2 years from now.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Electromagnetism

Read Explanation

Oscillations

Read Explanation

Engineering Physics

Read Explanation

Linear Momentum

Read Explanation

Electric Charge Field and Potential

Read Explanation

Wave Optics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.