Consider the following statements about comets : 1. Most comets have elongated elliptical orbits that take them close to the Sun for a part of their orbit, and then out into the further reaches of the Solar System for the remai nder 2. If a comet is traveling fast enough, it may leave the Solar System Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Statement 1 is correct as comets typically follow highly elongated elliptical orbits [c1][c5]. These orbits bring them into the inner Solar System (perihelion) where they heat up and outgas, and then carry them back to distant regions like the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud (aphelion) [c1][c2]. Statement 2 is also correct because a comet's trajectory depends on its velocity and energy. If a comet acquires enough speed—often through gravitational perturbations from a massive planet like Jupiter—it can reach escape velocity [t10]. This changes its orbit from a closed ellipse to an open parabolic or hyperbolic trajectory (eccentricity ≥ 1), allowing it to leave the Solar System and enter interstellar space [t3][t4][t5]. Therefore, both statements are scientifically accurate regarding cometary orbital mechanics.

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Comets > p. 33
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2. The Solar system > p. 35
3. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Explanation: > p. 21