Comets Change as They Approach the Sun in Their Orbits

question 2

Multiple Choice

Comets change as they approach the Sun in their orbits. Which of the following statements about a comet approaching the Sun is FALSE?

• A) the solid water ice in a comet begins to evaporate just beyond the orbit of Mars
• B) comets close to the Sun can evaporate enough material to become as large or larger than Jupiter
• C) the gravity of the comet nucleus holds on to the evaporated material, and it all eventually freezes back into the nucleus
• D) when the ice evaporates, some dust frozen into the ice is freed up to join the comet's coma and tail
• E) the evaporation is not always even, but can occur in spurts (where jets of material are seen moving away from the comet nucleus)

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Definitions:

Negative Reinforcement

A technique used in behavior modification that involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Respondent Behavior

A behavioral response that occurs naturally as a reaction to a specific stimulus, without the necessity of learning or prior experience.

Secondary Reinforcement

A form of reinforcement where a stimulus gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer.

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning that occurs by observing the rewards or punishments that another individual receives, influencing the observer's behavior.