Question

part 3: understanding information within a text
read the following text and answer the questions below:
comets
like asteroids, comets are suspected to be remnants of planet formation
in the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. but while asteroids are
generally composed of rock and metal, comets are more similar to dirty
snowballs. they are composed of frozen gases such as carbon dioxide,
methane, and ammonia, as well as water ice, in which dust particles and rocky
material are embedded. as a comet
approaches the sun, solar radiation
\melts\ the surface, vaporizing
molecules of gas and dust and creating
the brilliant tail comets are best known
for. a comets tail will always point
away from the sun, which means it
doesnt always trail behind the comet
on its journey, but rather can travel
beside or in front of it.

1. what is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?
2. how is the tail of a comet created and when does it form?

Explanation:

For question 8, the text clearly states that asteroids are generally composed of rock and metal, while comets are more like dirty snowballs made of frozen gases (carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia), water ice with dust and rocky material. For question 9, the text mentions that as a comet approaches the Sun, solar radiation "melts" the surface, vaporizing gas and dust molecules to create the tail.

Answer:

1. Asteroids are generally composed of rock and metal. Comets are composed of frozen gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia), water ice, with dust particles and rocky material embedded (like dirty snowballs).
2. The tail is created when a comet approaches the Sun. Solar radiation "melts" the surface, vaporizing gas and dust molecules to form the tail.