Question

*meteoroids are in space; meteors are burning up in earths atmosphere; meteorites have landed on the surface of a planet or moon.
an object is made of rock and metal. it has a dense atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide, which traps heat near its surface. it is roughly spherical in shape, with a diameter of about 12,104 kilometers. it follows a nearly circular orbit around the sun.
which image shows the object described above?
mathilde, an asteroid
venus, a planet
gibeon, a meteorite

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the object's features

The object is made of rock/metal, has a dense CO₂ - rich atmosphere (traps heat), is roughly spherical (diameter ~12,104 km), and orbits the Sun nearly circularly.

Step2: Evaluate each image

• Mathilde (asteroid): Asteroids are irregularly shaped, not spherical, so eliminate.
• Venus (planet): Planets are spherical, Venus has a dense CO₂ atmosphere, and orbits the Sun. Its diameter is consistent with the description.
• Gibeon (meteorite): Meteorites are rocky fragments on a planet/moon, not in orbit around the Sun, so eliminate.

Answer:

The Middle Image (Venus, a planet)