Chapter 32, Problem 19TE

What would be the consequences of a comet’s tail sweeping across Earth?

To determine

The consequences of comet’s tail sweeping across Earth.

Answer to Problem 19TE

The comet’s tail sweeping across the Earth could result in a meteor shower.

Explanation of Solution

Comet tail is formed when solar radiation from the Sun vaporizes the volatile material present on the surface of the comet and stream out of the nucleus. Comet has two tails, one is of the gases and the other is of dust.

Comet tail can result in a meteor shower, or absolutely nothing depending upon the size of the dust carried away. Comet tail is the trail of gases which ionizes due to solar wind and makes it visible to naked eyes and is barely thick than our upper atmosphere.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the comet’s tail sweeping across the Earth could result in a meteor shower.