What force is responsible for pushing the dust particles in the Dust Tail away from the Sun?
Answer
Pressure of sunlight
The visibility and directionality of a comet's tails are direct consequences of solar activity. Specifically concerning the Dust Tail, the tiny dust grains that have been released from the nucleus are pushed outward primarily by the pressure exerted by the sunlight itself. Although the solar wind also plays a role in the overall environment, the sunlight pressure is cited as the mechanism gently propelling the heavier dust particles away, causing them to lag behind the comet's path.
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