SCIENCE FORM 2 CHAPTER 13

Chapter 13

Asteroid, meteoroid, and comet

13.1 Other Objects in the Solar System, such as
Meteor Asteroids and Comets

• Besides the galaxy, stars and planets studied

in Chapters 11 and 12, there are other object
in our solar system.

• These objects are meteoroids, asteroids and

comets.



WHAT IS?

•METEOROID
•ASTEROID

•COMET







CHARACTERISTICS?

•METEOROID
•ASTEROID

•COMET

MATEOROID

Characteristics of a meteoroid

• Appears in various sizes, which is from 10 urn to 1 m.
• Made up of stones and metals such as iron and nickel.
• Originates from fragments of asteroids and comets.
• Its surface temperature in outer space is about 0°C.
• Travels at varying speed. The fastest meteoroid travels
at 42 km/s.

ASTEROID



COMET

Characteristics of a comet

• Consists of two main parts, a head and a tail.

• The length of the tail of a comet can reach up to 150 000 000 km.
The size of the head can reach up to 250 000 km.

• Comprises gas and water that freeze into ice, dust and rocky
particles.

• Travels around the Sun in its own elliptical orbit.
• Travels at an average speed range of 10 km /s to 70 km/s.

HOW THE
MOVEMENT?

•METEOROID
•ASTEROID

•COMET







THE IMPACT

•METEOROID
•ASTEROID

•COMET

Mateorite Impact

• The more energy released the more damage is likely

to occur on the ground

• Example: formation of craters with associated

earthquake and tsunami if water bodies are hit

Asteroid Impact

• Hits on land- would be a huge amount of dust

thrown up into atmosphere

• Hits in water – would be an increase in water vapour

in the atmosphere. This would result in an increase in
rain resulting in landslides and mudslide

Comet impact

• The impact carries energy of more than 100 million

megatons

• The resulting global environmental damage will be so

extensive

• Lead to a mass extinction, in which most life form

die