Question 15 (1 point)
Two scientists are attempting to determine whether an object is a comet or an asteroid. The table lists they questions they posed and their observations.
Question Answer
Where was the object observed? the Oort cloud
What is the object made of? dust and ice
Does the object have a visible tail? no
Scientist 1 determines that the object is a comet while scientist 2 determines that the object is an asteroid. Which scientist is correct and why?
a
Scientist 1 is correct. Because comets are made of dust and ice, comets are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than asteroids, and only asteroids, not comets, develop tails as they approach the Sun.
b
Scientist 2 is correct. Because asteroids are made of dust and ice, asteroids are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than comets, and an asteroid would not develop a visible tail that far away from the Sun.
c
Scientist 1 is correct. Because comets are made of dust and ice, comets are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than asteroids, and a comet would not develop a visible tail that far away from the Sun.
d
Scientist 2 is correct. Because asteroids are made of dust and ice, asteroids are more likely to be found in the Oort cloud than comets, and only comets, not asteroids, develop tails as they approach the Sun.