The tail of a comet is directed away from the sun because

Asked in UPPCS Prelims 1997 · Topic: Space (Space Plasma Physics (Solar Wind, Magnetosphere, Auroras))

1. as the comet rotates around the sun, the lighter mass of the comet is pushed away due to the centrifugal force alone
2. as the comet rotates, the lighter mass of the comet is attracted by some star situated in the direction of its tail
3. the radiation emitted by the sun exerts a radial pressure on the comet throwing its tail away from the sun
4. the tail of the comet always exists in the same orientation

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