Meteorites are useful for studying the earliest history of the solar system because
A) many arrive from other solar systems, to which we can directly compare our own.
B) most were ejected from other planets while in the process of formation.
C) most arrive from the outer solar system, where objects are difficult to study directly.
D) most are unchanged since their formation shortly after the solar system began.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Meteorites are considered valuable for studying the early solar system because they are remnants from its formation, largely unchanged over billions of years. This allows scientists to study their composition and structure to gain insights into the conditions and processes that prevailed during the solar system's infancy. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because meteorites typically do not come from other solar systems, are not mostly ejected from forming planets, and while some do come from the outer solar system, the key reason they are useful is their unchanged nature since the solar system's formation.

Meteorites Are Useful for Studying the Earliest History of the Solar