A solid, rock-like object that can enter Earth's atmosphere is called a ______.

A solid, rock-like object that can enter Earth's atmosphere is called a ______.

• A. Asteroid
• B. Meteorite
• C. Meteoroid
• D. Meteor

Answer: (C)

The concept here is the naming of small rocky bodies as they travel from space into Earth’s vicinity. A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in space that can enter Earth’s atmosphere. When such a body hits the atmosphere and lights up as it burns—creating that bright streak in the sky—that phenomenon is a meteor. If any piece survives the passage and lands on Earth, that rock is a meteorite. So the solid rock-like object that can enter Earth's atmosphere is described as a meteoroid. For contrast, asteroids are larger bodies in space, the meteor is the light phenomenon seen in the atmosphere, and the meteorite is the rock that reaches the ground.

The concept here is the naming of small rocky bodies as they travel from space into Earth’s vicinity. A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in space that can enter Earth’s atmosphere. When such a body hits the atmosphere and lights up as it burns—creating that bright streak in the sky—that phenomenon is a meteor. If any piece survives the passage and lands on Earth, that rock is a meteorite. So the solid rock-like object that can enter Earth's atmosphere is described as a meteoroid. For contrast, asteroids are larger bodies in space, the meteor is the light phenomenon seen in the atmosphere, and the meteorite is the rock that reaches the ground.