Most meteorites show evidence of having melted or of being fragments of asteroids that were once differentiated by heat. Carbonaceous chondrites, however, are believed to have never melted. Which one of these is NOT a reason to believe carbonaceous chondrites have never melted?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence or absence of fusion crusts relates to the meteorite's passage through Earth's atmosphere, not its history before entering the atmosphere. Fusion crusts form as the meteorite heats up due to friction with the atmosphere, which is unrelated to whether the meteorite melted in its early history. Choices A, B, and C all describe properties that would be affected by melting before the meteorite reached Earth, supporting the belief that carbonaceous chondrites have never melted.

Most Meteorites Show Evidence of Having Melted or of Being