The asteroid Mathilde has a mean density of only 1300 kg/m³, which is about half the density of rock. What is believed to be the reason for Mathilde's low density? A)Mathilde is a "rubble pile," having been shattered by collisions with other asteroids. B)Mathilde is a binary asteroid that is too far away for us to see the individual components; the low density is an illusion created by the space between the two rocky components. C)Mathilde is composed of about 1/4 rock and 3/4 ice. D)Mathilde is a primitive asteroid, composed of loosely aggregated dust grains from the early solar nebula.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that Mathilde has a low density suggests that it is a "rubble pile" asteroid, meaning that it is composed of fragments of rock that have been shattered by collisions with other asteroids. This type of asteroid is loosely held together by gravity and can have low densities due to the space between the fragments.

The Asteroid Mathilde Has a Mean Density of Only 1300