What is the term for a small rocky object that orbits the sun, typically found in a band between Mars and Jupiter?

Prepare for the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations to get you ready for exam success!

The term for a small rocky object that orbits the sun, particularly located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, is asteroid. Asteroids are primarily composed of rock and metal and can vary in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. The asteroid belt is a region of space that contains a significant number of these small bodies, and they are remnants from the early solar system that never formed into planets.

In contrast, comets, which are made primarily of ice and dust, originate from different regions, such as the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud, and have distinctive tails when they come close to the sun. Planets, on the other hand, are larger celestial bodies that orbit the sun and have cleared their orbits of other debris. Moons are natural satellites that orbit planets. Each of these terms describes different types of celestial objects and their characteristics, making "asteroid" the correct choice for this specific question.

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