6. Asteroids can be classified into two broad groups based on their composition

Question

6. Asteroids can be classified into two broad groups based on their composition and location: carbon-rich asteroids dominate the outer part of the asteroid belt, whereas metal-rich asteroids dominate the inner part of the belt. Analysis of the fragment we have discussed in this project reveals that it contains nearly equal amounts of metals and carbon. Can we conclude that the original asteroid had a similar composition? Form a hypothesis about the origin of this asteroid based on the available information.

Explanation / Answer

The majority of asteroids fall into three types: C-type (carbonaceous), S-type (silicate or stony), and M-type (metallic).

Hypothesis: The astroid found came from the center (origin) of an asteroid belt. Because it contains equal amounts of both


but however
We can not simply come to the conclusion that original asteroid had a similar comosition of metals and carbon. There may be a possibility of nuclear radiactivity from which initial compostion is redistributed into metals and carbon type The unstable elements in the asteroids have been acquired the stable configuration and then redistributed as two separate belts.

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