Question

Iron meteorites are believed to come from?

1) the crust of a differentiated type C asteroid, now broken up.
2) a broken up cometary nucleus, hence their shiny appearance.
3) the core of a dense M-type asteroid, now broken up.
4) deep space, far beyond the solar system, hence their unique crystal patterns.
5) Mars, hence their reddish color.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 3) the core of a dense M-type asteroid, now broken up.

Step-by-step explanation:

Iron meteorites are believed to be the fragments of the metal cores of their parent bodies, which were once large, differentiated bodies with molten interiors. These parent bodies are thought to have been significant enough to allow heavier metals to sink to the center due to the differentiation process.

When these bodies were shattered, likely due to collision, the fragments that came from the core were rich in metals like nickel-iron. In light of this, the correct answer to the student's question is that iron meteorites are believed to come from 3) the core of a dense M-type asteroid, now broken up.