Question
Greek and Latin Word Origins
1. Nebula is a Latin word that means "cloud" Explain why
you think astronomers chose this word as a name for
what they were observing in outer space.
2. The prefix iso- means "the same." How does this
meaning relate to the definition of isotope?
Answer
Astronomers chose the word nebula as a name for what they were observing in outer space because it accurately describes the cloudy, hazy appearance of the objects. The meaning of the prefix iso- relates to the definition of isotope because isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.