Question

an asteroids albedo is a measure of how much light the asteroid reflects. asteroids with higher albedos appear brighter in visible light. higher albedos are represented by larger numbers. the spectral type describes the composition of an asteroids surface.

asteroid	diameter (km)	albedo	distance from the sun (10^6 km)	spectral type
4 vesta	530	0.42	353	stony
5 astraea	119	0.23	385	stony
13 egeria	208	0.08	385	carbonaceous
16 psyche	253	0.12	437	metallic

students use the data to show that the albedos of asteroids depend on several factors.

which two claims about the albedos of asteroids does the data support?

□ a. bigger asteroids tend to be brighter than smaller ones.
□ d. large asteroids tend to be brighter than smaller ones of the same type.

□ b. stony asteroids tend to be brighter than carbonaceous ones.
□ e. asteroids farther from the sun tend to be brighter than those closer to the sun.

□ c. carbonaceous asteroids tend to be brighter than metallic ones.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze Option A

Compare albedos and diameters. 2 Pallas (diameter 545 km, albedo 0.16) and 16 Psyche (diameter 253 km, albedo 0.12), but 5 Astraea (diameter 119 km, albedo 0.23) is brighter than 16 Psyche. So A is wrong.

Step2: Analyze Option B

Compare stony and carbonaceous asteroids. 4 Vesta (stony, albedo 0.42) and 2 Pallas (carbonaceous, albedo 0.16), 5 Astraea (stony, albedo 0.23) compared to 13 Egeria (carbonaceous, albedo 0.08). Stony asteroids have higher albedos. So B is correct.

Step3: Analyze Option C

2 Pallas (carbonaceous, albedo 0.16) and 16 Psyche (metallic, albedo 0.12), but this is not a general - trend as sample size is small. Also, overall data doesn't support this. So C is wrong.

Step4: Analyze Option D

Among stony asteroids, 4 Vesta (diameter 530 km, albedo 0.42) is larger and brighter than 5 Astraea (diameter 119 km, albedo 0.23). Among carbonaceous asteroids, 2 Pallas (diameter 545 km, albedo 0.16) is larger and brighter than 13 Egeria (diameter 208 km, albedo 0.08). So D is correct.

Step5: Analyze Option E

2 Pallas (distance 415×10⁶ km, albedo 0.16) and 4 Vesta (distance 353×10⁶ km, albedo 0.42). Closer ones can be brighter. So E is wrong.

Answer:

B. Stony asteroids tend to be brighter than carbonaceous ones.
D. Large asteroids tend to be brighter than smaller ones of the same type.