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Solar System Reservoirs

Solar System Reservoirs refer to regions like the Oort Cloud, where vast numbers of icy bodies reside. These bodies, including comets, originate from gravitational interactions with outer planets and can be influenced by nearby stars. Studying these reservoirs helps us understand the dynamics of solar system formation and evolution.

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1

Oort Cloud : Comets :: Kuiper Belt : ?

The Oort Cloud holds comets, which are icy bodies that come into the inner solar system. Other options are incorrect because A planet is a large body ...

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2

During a research expedition, scientists discover a new region in the outer solar system that appears to host a significant number of icy bodies. They suspect this region may be a new reservoir similar to the Oort Cloud. Based on your understanding of solar system reservoirs, what factors should the scientists consider to determine whether this region is a true reservoir and how it may affect comet dynamics?

Gravitational pulls from nearby stars and planets can shift or keep icy bodies in stable orbits. Other options are incorrect because Thinking that onl...

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3

Why is there a significant discrepancy between the estimated number of objects in the Oort Cloud and the observed number of long-period comets?

Planets, especially the giant ones, pull on comets that come near. Other options are incorrect because People think the Oort Cloud is filled by new as...

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4

The vast region known as the _______ is believed to contain a significant number of icy bodies that originate from gravitational interactions with the outer planets, contributing to our understanding of solar system dynamics.

The Oort Cloud sits far beyond the planets, holding icy objects that come from the gravitational pull of the giant planets. Other options are incorrec...

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5

How do interactions with outer planets influence the distribution of icy bodies in the Oort Cloud?

Outer planets have strong gravity that can nudge icy bodies around. Other options are incorrect because People often think collisions make more bodies...

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6

Which of the following objects would you classify as a significant component of the Oort Cloud?

A comet that takes many years to travel around the Sun originates from the farthest reaches of our solar system. Other options are incorrect because A...

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7

Order the following events to describe the process of how comets from the Oort Cloud are formed and interact with the solar system: A) Gravitational disturbances from nearby stars influence Oort Cloud objects, B) Icy bodies in the Oort Cloud are perturbed into the inner solar system, C) These bodies exhibit long orbital periods as they approach the sun, D) The objects coalesce to form larger bodies in the outer solar system.

First, stars near the Sun tug on Oort Cloud objects, nudging them. Other options are incorrect because This option places the comet’s move inward befo...

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8

What can the discrepancy between the estimated number of Oort Cloud objects and the observed long-period comets tell us about solar system evolution?

The huge gap between the estimated many Oort Cloud objects and the few seen long-period comets shows that our models of comet origins and motion are i...

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9

Which of the following statements about Solar System Reservoirs are true? (Select all that apply)

Comets come from the outer planets, which tug them toward the Sun. Other options are incorrect because People often picture the Oort Cloud as full of ...

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