What is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids. while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
What is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids. while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Correct Answer 1 and 3 only
The correct answer is 1 and 3 only.
Key Points
- Asteroids
- They are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun.
- Although asteroids orbit the sun like planets, they are much smaller than planets.
- Most of this ancient space rubble can be found orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt.
- The total mass of all the asteroids combined is less than that of Earth's Moon.
- They do not show a perceptible glowing tail.
- Comets
- They are frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system composed of dust, rock and ices.
- When it is closer to the sun, it heats up and spews dust and gases into a giant glowing head/tail larger than most planets.
- There are likely billions of comets orbiting our Sun.
- They primarily originate from two regions: the Kuiper Belt, and the Oort Cloud.
- Since comets are not restricted to Venus and Mercury. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
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Feb 20, 2025