Comet Tail Direction – Rankers Physics

Planet and Satellite: Practice Problem & Solution

Assertion (A): Comet tail points away from the sun. Reason (R): Solar radiation vapourise the volatile materials within the comet.  
Both (A) \(&\) (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) \(&\) (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Planet and Satellite. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

The comet tail always points away from the Sun due to solar wind and radiation pressure pushing on the sublimated material. Solar radiation does vaporize volatile materials, forming the tail, but this vaporization itself doesn't fully explain the direction. Hence, both statements are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

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