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Comets

I'm stuck on this question: Why is a comet's orbit different to that of a planet? Give two reasons. I've wrote that a comet's orbit is different because it did not form with our Solar system. If anyone could help that'd be great.
Thanks.

Reply 1

Morbo

Comets did form with the solar system: some are suspected to come from a cloud of material left over from the formation of the Sun itself!

I must admit I don't really see the point of the question: the major defining feature of a comet is that its orbit is different to that of a planet or asteroid, being highly ellipitcal and sometimes (although rarely) hyperbolic.

Reply 2

Interchange

Oh okay. Thanks anyway.

Reply 3

Interchange

Does anyone else know?

Reply 4

teachercol

Look up "Oort cloud".

Comets orbit a long long way from the Sun. Sometimes they interact and get thrown out of their normal orbits into highly eccentric orbits which take them close to the Inner planets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud

Reply 5

Drummy

comets with periods of less than 20 years are thought to have originated in the Kuiper belt, around where Pluto is.

Reply 6

bunthulhu

l0uis

1. They are highly elliptical
2. They do not lie in the same plane as that of the planets (the ecliptic)

Reply 7

Morbo

bunthulhu

1. They are highly elliptical
2. They do not lie in the same plane as that of the planets (the ecliptic)

Those reasons are how a comet's orbit is different to a planet's, not why: a description, if you will, where the question asks for an explanation.

Reply 8

bunthulhu

Morbo

Those reasons are how a comet's orbit is different to a planet's, not why: a description, if you will, where the question asks for an explanation.

Okay. But I think it could be interpreted either way, especially as 'why' is a much more difficult question to answer, and one I'd be surprised for a 15 year old to be asked at that level of study :smile: