This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Why do astronomers think that Saturn's rings are not a permanent feature that has existed since the ... (Read 29 times)

roselinechinyere27m

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 557
Why do astronomers think that Saturn's rings are not a permanent feature that has existed since the formation of the planet?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What do astronomers think is the cause of the active volcanism occurring on Jupiter's moon Io?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

lauravaras

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 347
Answer to Question 1

Saturn's rings can't be leftover material from the formation of Saturn. The rings are made of ice particles, and the planet would have been so hot when it formed that it would have vaporized and driven away any icy material. Rather, the rings must be debris from collisions between Saturn's icy Moons and passing comets or asteroids. Impacts large enough to scatter ice throughout the Saturn system are estimated to occur every 100 million years or so. The ice would quickly settle into the equatorial plane, and some would become trapped in rings.

Answer to Question 2

The activity you see in the Galilean moons must be driven by energy flowing outward, yet these objects are too small to have remained hot from the time of their formation. Io's volcanism seems to be driven by tidal heating. Io follows a slightly elliptical orbit caused by its interactions with the other moons. As Io's distance from Jupiter varies, the planet's gravitational field flexes the moon with varying tidal force, and the resulting friction heats Io's interior. That heat flowing outward causes the volcanism.





 

Did you know?

Allergies play a major part in the health of children. The most prevalent childhood allergies are milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, and seafood.

Did you know?

In 2010, opiate painkllers, such as morphine, OxyContin®, and Vicodin®, were tied to almost 60% of drug overdose deaths.

Did you know?

Everyone has one nostril that is larger than the other.

Did you know?

Blastomycosis is often misdiagnosed, resulting in tragic outcomes. It is caused by a fungus living in moist soil, in wooded areas of the United States and Canada. If inhaled, the fungus can cause mild breathing problems that may worsen and cause serious illness and even death.

Did you know?

Eating food that has been cooked with poppy seeds may cause you to fail a drug screening test, because the seeds contain enough opiate alkaloids to register as a positive.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library