Where in the solar system are most asteroids located? A. near the Sun B. in the Asteroid Belt C. between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn D. between the orbits of Uranus and Neptune
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. in the Asteroid Belt.
The majority of asteroids in the solar system are found in a region known as the Asteroid Belt. This is a vast area located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, roughly between 2.1 and 3.3 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. The Asteroid Belt contains a large number of small rocky objects, often referred to as asteroids or minor planets, which range in size from small pebbles to objects several hundred kilometers across.
The reason so many asteroids are concentrated in this region is largely due to the gravitational influence of Jupiter. Jupiter’s massive gravity prevented these objects from coalescing into a larger planet during the early formation of the solar system. Instead, they remained as smaller bodies scattered throughout the belt.
While asteroids can also be found in other parts of the solar system, such as near the orbits of other planets or in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune, the majority are located in the Asteroid Belt. For example, the Trojan asteroids are grouped around Jupiter’s orbit, but they are relatively few compared to those in the Asteroid Belt.
The Asteroid Belt is not a continuous, dense collection of rocks but is instead scattered with large gaps between the objects. Some of the largest objects in the Asteroid Belt include Ceres (which is classified as both an asteroid and a dwarf planet), Vesta, Pallas, and Hygiea. These objects are remnants of the early solar system and are studied by astronomers to learn more about its formation and evolution.