Question

question 2.
which of the following characteristics distinguishes objects in the oort cloud from objects in the kuiper belt?
a. objects in the oort cloud are primarily composed of metal and rock, while objects in the kuiper belt are made of ice.
b. objects in the oort cloud have a much shorter orbital period compared to objects in the kuiper belt.
c. objects in the oort cloud are much farther from the sun and have more elliptical orbits compared to objects in the kuiper belt.
d. objects in the oort cloud are larger and more numerous than those in the kuiper belt.

Explanation:

• Option A: Both Oort Cloud and Kuiper Belt objects are mainly composed of ice, dust, and rock. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: Objects in the Oort Cloud have much longer orbital periods (thousands to millions of years) compared to Kuiper Belt objects (tens to hundreds of years). So this option is incorrect.
• Option C: The Oort Cloud is a spherical shell around the solar system, much farther from the Sun (up to 100,000 astronomical units) and has more elliptical orbits. The Kuiper Belt is a donut - shaped region from about 30 to 50 astronomical units from the Sun with more circular orbits. This option is correct.
• Option D: The Kuiper Belt has more objects, and there is no clear indication that Oort Cloud objects are larger. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Objects in the Oort Cloud are much farther from the Sun and have more elliptical orbits compared to objects in the Kuiper Belt.