Why does meteor disappear before reaching the earth surface?

Meteors often disintegrate before reaching the Earth's surface due to the intense heat and pressure generated by their rapid entry into the atmosphere. As they travel at high speeds, friction with air molecules causes them to heat up, resulting in combustion that vaporizes the material. Most meteors burn up completely within the upper atmosphere, while only larger fragments, called meteorites, may survive and reach the ground. This process is why we typically see a bright streak of light, known as a meteor or "shooting star," rather than a solid object landing on Earth.