Describe the leading scenarios for the origin of the planetary ...

[naturalchemist]

Describe the leading scenarios for the origin of the planetary rings. What makes us think that ring systems must be continually replenished?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

According to the planetary migration model, the jovian planets are thought to have formed
 
  A) in the orbit where they are now.
  B) further from the Sun than they are now.
  C) in another solar system.
  D) closer to the Sun than they are now.
  E) none of the above.

[Perkypinki]

Answer to Question 1

Within two to three radii of any planet, the tidal forces tugging an object apart become comparable to the gravitational forces holding it together. This region is called the Roche zone. One scenario for the origin of the rings is that a wandering moon strayed into the Roche zone and was torn apart. Another scenario is that the material near the planet was prevented from forming a moon in the first place because of the strong tidal forces. Random orbits of the particles would cause collisions between particles that cross orbits, and this has the effect of making the rings very thin. Frequent collisions between particles or between particles and their planet's upper atmosphere cause ring particles to disintegrate within a few million years. Therefore, since the ring particles are rapidly disappearing, they must be continually replenished. Otherwise it would be very unlikely that we would be so lucky to view rings around all of the jovian planets during this short time period that they have rings.

Answer to Question 2

B

[naturalchemist]

Thank you!

[Perkypinki]

Always glad to help...