Multiple choice

Whats 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?

  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 1 and 3 only

  3. 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 3

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Asteroids are rocky and metallic objects that orbit the Sun but are too small to be considered planets. A large majority of known asteroids orbit in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter or co-orbital with Jupiter (the Jupiter Trojans).  A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma (a thin, fuzzy, temporary atmosphere) and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet. Comet's nuclei are themselves loose collections of ice, dust, and small rocky particles.