How is the coma of a comet produced?
A) Rocky material breaks off from the comet to form the coma.
B) The coma is a cloud of particles that the comet has swept up in its orbital path.
C) Ices vaporize to become gas that form the coma around the comet.
D) Particles in the solar wind get caught in the comet's magnetic field to form the coma.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The coma of a comet is produced by the sublimation (vaporization) of ices, such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane, from the comet's nucleus as it approaches the Sun. The vaporized gases and dust form a cloud around the nucleus, creating the coma.

How Is the Coma of a Comet Produced