Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

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Prepare for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to succeed in your certification.

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What part of a comet is always directed away from the sun?

Nucleus
Coma
Tail
Core

The correct answer is: Tail

The tail of a comet is always directed away from the sun due to the influence of solar wind and radiation pressure. As a comet approaches the sun, the heat causes the ices within the comet to vaporize and form a glowing envelope called the coma. The solar radiation pushes the particles in the coma outward, creating the comet's tail that stretches away from the sun. This phenomenon occurs regardless of the direction the comet is traveling, resulting in the tail always trailing away from the sun's position. The other components of a comet, like the nucleus and coma, are not directed away from the sun; rather, they are affected by the sun's heat and gravity to varying degrees.