Consider the following statements:1. Comets are icy balls that form in...
Understanding Comets
Comets are fascinating celestial objects that offer insight into the early solar system. Let's analyze the statements provided to determine their accuracy.
Statement 1: Comets are icy balls that form in the outer solar system.
- This statement is true. Comets primarily consist of ice, dust, and rocky material. They originate from the outer regions of the solar system, particularly from areas like the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.
Statement 2: Several comets have circular orbits that cut across the orbits of planets.
- This statement is false. Most comets have highly elliptical orbits, not circular ones. Their orbits can extend far beyond the planets and then come close to the Sun, but they do not typically have circular paths that intersect planetary orbits.
Statement 3: Their surfaces are warm and fickle materials vaporize.
- This statement is ambiguous. While comets warm up as they approach the Sun, causing their icy components to vaporize (creating a coma and tail), the term "fickle" is subjective and does not accurately describe their behavior.
Statement 4: They are the remains and the leftovers from solar system formation.
- This statement is true. Comets are indeed considered remnants from the early solar system, preserving materials that provide clues about its formation and evolution.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- Statements 1 and 4 are accurate.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- Statement 3 is unclear and not definitively true.
Thus, the correct answer is option C: 1 and 4 only.
Consider the following statements:1. Comets are icy balls that form in...
Statement 1 is correct as comets are indeed icy balls that form in the outer solar system.
Statement 4 is also correct because comets are remnants from the solar system's formation.
However, Statement 2 is incorrect; comets typically have elliptical orbits rather than circular ones, which cross the orbits of planets.
Additionally, Statement 3 is inaccurate because comet surfaces are composed of volatile materials that sublimate (transition from solid to gas) when nearing the sun, rather than being warm and fickle.
Therefore, only statements 1 and 4 are correct.