A Meteorite That Recently Fell to Earth Was Found to Contain

question 108

Multiple Choice

A meteorite that recently fell to Earth was found to contain evidence of the existence earlier in its history of a short-lived radioactive isotope of aluminum, ²⁶Al, which can be produced only under extremely energetic conditions and in nuclear reactions. What conclusion can be drawn from this observation?

• A) An energetic nuclear event, a supernova, occurred near the formation site of the Sun, and it produced the ²⁶Al at about the time the meteorite was formed.
• B) The meteorite became so hot on its descent through Earth's atmosphere that it became radioactive, and the ²⁶Al was formed at that time.
• C) The meteorite had probably passed through radioactive clouds in space and collected the ²⁶Al before hitting Earth.
• D) Radioactivity occurs spontaneously in normal matter, so this finding is not surprising.

---

Definitions:

FM Radio Station

A broadcast station that uses frequency modulation to provide radio programming to the public within a certain geographic area.

Excludable

A feature of a product or service that enables the owner to restrict its use by others without obtaining consent.

Rival In Consumption

Describes a good or service whose consumption by one individual prevents simultaneous consumption by other individuals, making it exclusive in nature.

Common Resource

A resource like fish stocks, forests, or clean air, that provides users with tangible benefits but is susceptible to overuse and depletion.