Contrast the Oort cloud and the Kuiper belt as possible origins ...

[joe]

Contrast the Oort cloud and the Kuiper belt as possible origins for comets.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Which planet has the highest average surface temperature, and why?
 
  A) Mars, because of its red color
  B) Mercury, because of its dense carbon dioxide atmosphere
  C) Venus, because of its dense carbon dioxide atmosphere
  D) Jupiter, because it is so big
  E) Mercury, because it is closest to the Sun

[tranoy]

Answer to Question 1

Most long-period comets come from random directions, and have very elongated orbits, suggesting origin in the distant Oort cloud. Kuiper belt bodies seen to date move in the ecliptic, with fairly circular orbits, and much closer to the Sun, just beyond the orbit of Neptune. Perhaps collisions between Kuiper belt worlds might create some short period comets, just as collisions between asteroids might send some meteoroids toward Earth, but this will be rare.

Answer to Question 2

C

[joe]

Thanks

[tranoy]

Welcome