Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt occur at distances where
A)the orbit would take the asteroid beyond the "frost line" in the solar system.
B)the period of an orbiting asteroid would be the same as Jupiter's orbital period.
C)the density of asteroids is high enough for a large collision to pulverize a number of asteroids.
D)the period of an orbiting asteroid would be the same as Mars's orbital period.
E)the period of an orbiting asteroid would be a simple fraction (like 1/3 or 1/4)of Jupiter's orbital period.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Kirkwood gaps occur at distances from the Sun where the gravitational influence of Jupiter causes a resonant effect on the orbit of asteroids. This means that the orbital period of an asteroid in a Kirkwood gap would be a simple fraction of Jupiter's orbital period, such as 1/3 or 2/5. This resonance can cause the asteroid's orbit to become unstable, leading to collisions or ejections from the asteroid belt.

Kirkwood Gaps in the Asteroid Belt Occur at Distances Where