Assignment 3

Applied Project - Stage 3 (due at the end of week 7) (4% of course grade)

Note: All calculations must show your step-by-step work to receive credit.

The questions below are related to an asteroid in orbit around the Sun.

1. As mentioned in an earlier of this project, occasionally an asteroid fragment makes its way to Earth. As the fragment falls through the atmosphere, it is heated and some of the material is vaporized.

    a. (10 points) Explain how you could determine the composition of this hot vaporized material from the light it emits.

    b. (5 points) Provide an example of how this type analysis is used during the testing of soil, water, oil, or air samples. Provide a reference to the source of your information and reasons why it should be considered a reliable source. (Note: this Checklist to Evaluating Web Sites may be helpful in evaluating your source of information.)

2. Some asteroid fragments end up on the surface of Earth. Such fragments could be radioactive.

    a. (4 points) What is the chief cause of radioactivity?

    b. (4 points) List and describe the three different types of radioactivity.

    c. (7 points) Suppose that you had a radiation detector that could not the identify the type of radiation being emitted from a fragment sample. What else could you use, in conjunction with the detector, to determine the type of radiation being emitted? Explain.

3. (10 points) In your own words, explain how the age of this fragment could be determined. Be detailed in your explanation and provide references to any sources of information you may have used. Additionally, explain why any sources used should be considered reliable.

4. Asteroids are mainly composed of metals like iron and nonmetals like carbon.

    a. (10 points) Explain at least three differences between metals and nonmetals. Specifically use iron and carbon in your explanation.

    b. (5 points) Describe the locations of metals and non-metals within the periodic table.

5. If the asteroid fragment contains carbon, it may burn when entering Earth's atmosphere.

    a. (5 points) What is the most likely compound to result from this process? Explain your answer.

    b. (5 points) Which type of chemical bond would result from this process? Explain your answer.

    c. (5 points) Of the types chemical reactions studied in this course, which type would this be? Explain your answer.

6. Asteroids can be classified into two broad groups based on their composition and location: carbon-rich asteroids dominate the outer part of the asteroid belt, whereas metal-rich asteroids dominate the inner part of the belt. Analysis of the fragment we have discussed in this project reveals that it contains nearly equal amounts of metals and carbon.

    a. (5 points) Can you conclude that the original whole asteroid had a similar composition? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.

    b. (5 points) Can you conclude with a high degree of confidence that the asteroid originated in the middle regions of the asteroid belt? Explain your reasoning.

    c. (5 points) If you could access more data to aid in your analysis, what would you like to see?

7. The Law of Conservation of Energy tells us that "energy cannot be created nor destroyed." At the center of our Solar System is the Sun, and the Sun is constantly generating energy allowing Earth to have habitable conditions for life to exist.

    a. (5 points) What is the source of the Sun's energy? How does this energy source differ from those that you use in your daily life?

    b. (10 points) Does the Law of Conservation of Energy apply here? Explain your answer.