Suppose you find a meteorite made almost entirely of metal. According to current science, which of the following statements must be true?
A) Your meteorite is a fragment from the core of a large asteroid that shattered in a collision.
B) Radiometric dating will show the age of your meteorite to date to the formation of our solar system.
C) Your meteorite was blasted off the surface of Mars by an impact.
D) Your meteorite is a fragment of an object from the Kuiper belt.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Meteorites that are almost entirely made of metal are typically remnants of the core of a large asteroid that shattered in a collision. This is based on current scientific understanding and observations of similar meteorites. Radiometric dating may also be used to determine the age of the meteorite, but this is not a necessary statement in order for the meteorite to be from the core of an asteroid. The other two options are less likely based on current scientific understanding.

Suppose You Find a Meteorite Made Almost Entirely of Metal