Question

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?

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 1 and 3
• C. Only 3
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B 1 and 3

Difference between asteroids and comets lies mainly in their composition. Both were formed during the early phase of the solar system. Asteroids consist mainly of rocky and metallic material, while comets comprise if ice, frozen gases, dust and rocky and metallic material.

Asteroids are found nearer to the Sun while comets are found farther from the Sun as the heat can melt away comet's ice. In fact, when a comet approaches the Sun, it starts losing its ice because of the Sun's heat as a result of which a perceptible glowing tail can be seen.