Florida Statewide Science Assessment (SSA) Practice Exam

Which term describes a small rocky body orbiting the sun?

Planet Meteor Comet Asteroid

Correct Answer:

Asteroid

Explanation:

The term for a small rocky body that orbits the Sun refers to an asteroid. Asteroids are rocky remnants from the early solar system and are much smaller than planets. Most of them lie in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, though they can be found in other regions as well. They differ from planets, which are larger and have cleared their orbits of debris; from comets, which are icy and develop glowing comas and tails when near the Sun; and from meteors, which are the bright streaks we see when small particles burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

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