An asteroid approaches Jupiter and is slung around into a new trajectory across the solar system. Which of the following is possible?
O The asteroid slows down as it passes around Jupiter.
O The asteroid continues out of the solar system.
O The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape.
O The asteroid falls into an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
All of the options are possible.
Based on the information provided, all of the options are possible. However, the exact outcome would depend on various factors such as the speed of the asteroid, its angle of approach, the gravitational pull of Jupiter, and any other gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies in the solar system.
The correct answer is O: The asteroid falls into an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
When an asteroid approaches Jupiter, it experiences the immense gravitational pull of the planet. This gravitational interaction can either speed up or slow down the asteroid, depending on its initial velocity and trajectory.
If the asteroid is moving too slowly, Jupiter's gravity can accelerate it, causing it to gain speed as it slingshots around the planet. This increase in velocity can allow the asteroid to escape the solar system entirely (option B). This phenomenon is known as a gravity assist or a gravitational slingshot.
However, if the asteroid is moving fast enough, Jupiter's gravity can instead slow it down as it passes around. This deceleration can cause the asteroid to fall into an irregular orbit around Jupiter (option D). In this case, the asteroid may continue to orbit Jupiter, periodically passing close to the planet during each orbit.
Option C, the asteroid adopting an unusual orbit around the Sun, such as an egg shape, is not a possible outcome from the slingshot effect. The asteroid's trajectory will be influenced primarily by Jupiter's gravity during this encounter, rather than the Sun's gravity.
Therefore, the only possible outcome from the given options is for the asteroid to fall into an irregular orbit around Jupiter (option D).