Question 1
There are two methods which are commonly used in the classification of what an element is made up of in an asteroid. These techniques include Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy and X-ray Spectroscopy. Gamma-Ray spectroscopy detects the abundance of K and U and finds out the ratios of Fe: Si and Mg: Si. X-ray spectroscopy, on the other hand, carries information about Magnesium Silicon and Aluminum. Asteroids can also contain S, Ti, Fe, and Ca thou in lower rates. Asteroids are made up of elements which vaporize. This vaporization takes place at varying temperatures. The high temperatures heating the asteroid generates a variety of colors due to the reactions taking place. For instance, calcium produces orange color when it reacts, lithium provides red, and sodium produces yellow among more others.
Question 2
It is evident that when these steroids fall on earth, their impact is less felt or not felt at all. Steroids can become radioactive as they absorb a lot of things from the sun. Steroids by themselves are not radioactive. The residue in these steroids, which is contaminated is usually minimal. When a nucleus is not stable, it causes a body to be radioactive, an attempt to lose some energy. An excess of proton or neutrons usually initiates this lack of stability. Using a Geiger counter, More radiations are detected where a mass of ions and electrons are taken in the tube together with other gas molecules. The counter then resets itself after which it can now detect radiations; Alpha-beta and gamma. The Geiger counter deters the type of radiation by the number of clicks it gives.
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Question 3
The age of this fragment can be determined using radiometric dating. This method is suitable because these elements are not stable and hence try to attain stability. To deter the age of this asteroid, the half-life of the elements made up of the meteorite is significant, and the radioactive isotope which is present in the substance. By this, one can find out its age.
Question 4
Many differences exist between metals and non-metals. One difference is that metals consist of 1-3 electrons in their outer layer while non-metals have 4-8 electrons in their outer layer. Non-metals appear very dl while metals are shiny. Except for Mercury, all metals are usually solid at room temperature while non-metals may vary in their states either solid, liquid, or gas. Non-metals are poor conductors of heat while metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. Metals have a high density, are malleable and ductile. Non-metals are not ductile, and they are brittle. Non-metals are good oxidizing agents and easily acquire electrons. Also, metals are good reducing agents while non-metals are oxidizing agents. Metals, on the other hand, quickly lose electrons. Metals form basic oxides while non-metals form acidic oxides. Metals are distinguished from non-metals in the periodic table using a zigzag line going through Radon, iodine, Selenium, Phosphorus, and Carbon.
Question 5
The most likely compound to result from this process is carbon dioxide. This is because Carbon continues to burn to become the gas; carbon dioxide present in the air after heating. The type of bond present here would be a double covalent bond. The bond would be between 1carbon and 2oxygen atoms. Though the double bond will not be very stable, it will be very strong as compared to a single bond. The reaction taking place here would be a redox reaction. The Carbon will go through complementary reduction by obtaining oxygen. The two atoms of oxygen will be transferred to the carbon atom. These two atoms are from Mercury oxide.
Question 6
I would conclude that it might be so because the composition does not change in the asteroid. It maintains the composition of where it came from. Incase this asteroid collided with another one, they would result in fragments having the same composition and physiognomies ( Harris, & D’Abramo, 2015) . The spectra groups’ specific asteroids found in the belt and under particular groups, namely; Silicate (S-type), Metal-rich (M-type) and Carbonaceous (C-type) ( Bonato et al., 2018). Nevertheless, I would also not conclude that it had its origin from the middle regions of the asteroid belt. Carbonaceous asteroid mostly is on the outer areas. S-types, on the other hand, are commonly on the inner side. This makes it quite hard to know the origin of the metal and Carbon as it is difficult to know its type. To differentiate the asteroid belt from other asteroid population, the asteroid belt is referred to as the main asteroid ( Marsset et al., 2017).
Question 7
The sun’s source of energy is hydrogen and helium gas. Through nuclear fusion, hydrogen burns, giving out a lot of energy; light and heat. These two moves to the exterior from the core of the sun. For one nuclear fusion reaction to take place and get to the earth’s surface, it takes many years. The law, therefore, applies here since this energy from the sun can be converted into various forms; Plants use this light for photosynthesis, this energy also cases changes on weather patterns producing wind, usable in conversion to electrical energy. This energy also assists in certain human activities like the use of fuels like oil or coal. This energy also allows for evaporation in the water cycle.
References
Bonato, E., King, A. J., Schofield, P. F., Kaulich, B., Araki, T., Abyaneh, M. K., ... & Russell, S. S. (2018). The Oxidation State of Iron in Silicate Minerals from the Matrices of CO Carbonaceous Chondrites.
Harris, A. W., & D’Abramo, G. (2015). The population of near-Earth asteroids. Icarus , 257 , 302-312.
Marsset, M., Carry, B., Pajuelo, M., Viikinkoski, M., Hanuš, J., Vernazza, P., ... & Yang, B. (2017). SPHERE Sheds New Light on the Collisional History of Main-belt Asteroids. The Messenger , 169 , 29-31.
