The density of Comet Halley was found to be about 0.2 g/cm³. This implies that Comet Halley A) is composed of about 50% rock and 50% frozen water and methane. B) is loosely packed ices with a small amount of rocky material. C) formed in the inner solar system and was ejected by Jupiter to the Kuiper belt. D) is really an S-type asteroid. E) was once a moon of Neptune and was ripped away by a large impact.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The low density of Comet Halley suggests that it is composed mainly of loosely packed ices with a small amount of rocky material. Option A is not correct because 50% rock would result in a much higher density. Option C is unlikely because ejection by Jupiter would require a large amount of energy and the comet would have had to traverse the entire solar system to reach the Kuiper belt. Option D is not correct because S-type asteroids have much higher densities. Option E is also unlikely because it is not clear how a moon of Neptune would end up in the inner solar system.

The Density of Comet Halley Was Found to Be About