Answer: When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it will typically burn up and disintegrate due to the heat generated by friction with the air. The resulting visible streak of light is called a meteor or shooting star.
If the meteoroid is large enough, it may survive the fiery descent and reach the Earth's surface. In this case, it is called a meteorite. The impact of a meteorite with the Earth's surface can cause various effects, depending on the size and speed of the meteorite, and the type of terrain it impacts.