Question

Scientists observed ice as a component of comets. This observation reinforced which model of the history of the solar system?

A. Most planets in the solar system originally had water oceans.

B. Comets delivered some of the water found in Earth’s oceans.

C. Solar system planetary cores are generally a mix of iron and water.

D. Most of the water in the solar system migrated to comets over time.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Comets delivered some of the water found in Earth’s oceans.

Explanation:

Comets are icy bodies of water, frozen gases, dust, and rocky particles. When comets enter the inner solar system, the Sun's heat causes the ice to vaporize, resulting in a glowing coma and a tail. This finding suggests that during the early stages of the solar system's history, comets delivered water to Earth and other planets via impacts. The "cometary impact model," as it is known, proposes that water on Earth originated from the impacts of comets rich in volatile substances like water.