Why do comets have tails?Group of answer choicesBecause of pressure from inside cometsBecause of the Earth gravityBecause of the Suns gravityBecause solar wind blows themAll

Comets have tails primarily because solar wind blows them. Here’s a step-by-step explanation:

1. Composition of Comets: Comets are composed of ice, dust, and rocky material. They are often described as "dirty snowballs."

2. Approaching the Sun: As a comet approaches the Sun, the increase in temperature causes the ice within the comet to sublimate (turn directly from a solid to a gas).

3. Formation of Coma: The sublimation of ice releases gas and dust, forming a glowing envelope around the nucleus called the coma.

4. Solar Wind and Radiation Pressure: The solar wind (a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun) and the Sun’s radiation pressure push the gas and dust away from the comet’s nucleus, forming two distinct tails:

   • Ion Tail: Composed of ionized gases, this tail is pushed directly away from the Sun by the solar wind.
   • Dust Tail: Composed of small solid particles, this tail is pushed away from the Sun by radiation pressure but tends to curve slightly due to the comet’s motion.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Because solar wind blows them.