What is the difference between asteroids and comets?
- Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
- Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and mercury.
- Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- Asteroids are small rocky bodies (planetoids) composed mainly of rock and metal. In contrast, comets consist largely of frozen gases, dust, and rocky material, giving them an icy composition.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- Most asteroids are concentrated in the asteroid belt located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Comets, however, generally originate in the outer regions of the Solar System (such as the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud), not between Venus and Mercury.
Statement 3 is correct
- When comets approach the Sun, the heat causes their icy components to vaporise, producing a bright coma and a visible tail. Asteroids lack significant volatile material and therefore do not develop such glowing tails.
