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The rate at which a comet melts, or sublimates, is not solely dependent on its size. Several factors influence the rate of sublimation:

  1. **Distance from the Sun**: Comets are made of ice and rock. When they get closer to the Sun, the heat causes the ice to sublimate, turning directly into gas. Therefore, the closer a comet is to the Sun, the faster it will sublimate.

  2. **Composition**: Comets are made up of various types of ice, including water ice, carbon dioxide ice, and methane ice, among others. Different types of ice sublimate at different temperatures, so the composition of the comet can affect the rate of sublimation.

  3. **Surface Area**: The rate of sublimation is also affected by the surface area of the comet that is exposed to the Sun. A larger comet will have a larger surface area and therefore, all else being equal, will sublimate faster than a smaller one. However, this is also dependent on the shape of the comet, as a more elongated or irregular shape can have a larger surface area than a more spherical one of the same volume.

  4. **Albedo (Reflectivity)**: The albedo of a comet, or how much sunlight it reflects, can also affect its rate of sublimation. A comet with a high albedo will reflect more sunlight and therefore heat up less, slowing the rate of sublimation.

So, while a larger comet might sublimate faster due to a larger surface area exposed to the Sun, it's not a hard and fast rule. The distance from the Sun, the comet's composition, its shape, and its albedo all play a role in determining the rate of sublimation.

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Rozana Updates

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2y ago

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