The tail of a comet is directed away from the sun because:
✓ Correct answer: c) the radiation emitted by the sun exerts a radial pressure on the comet throwing its tail away from the sun
ExplanationA comet is a small celestial body composed of ice, dust, and rocky material that orbits the Sun in an elliptical path.When it gets close to the Sun, the heat causes its icy nucleus to vaporize, forming a glowing coma.Option (c) is correct: The tail of a comet is directed away from the Sun due to the solar wind and radiation pressure exerted by the Sun.The Sun emits charged particles (mainly electrons and protons) that interact with the comet’s nucleus and coma, pushing gas and dust away.This creates a glowing tail that always points opposite the Sun, regardless of the comet’s orientation.The tail’s direction can change as the comet moves, influenced by factors like solar wind intensity, the coma’s shape, and the Sun’s magnetic field.Science and Technology 599 296
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