Q
What is the Roche limit?
A
Expert Answer
The distance within which a satellite held together by gravity will disintegrate due to tidal forces exceeding the body's gravitational self-attraction. Saturn's rings likely formed from a moon that passed within its Roche limit. Artificial satellites can survive inside it because they're held together by material strength.
Key Insight
The distance within which a satellite held together by gravity will disintegrate due to tidal forces exceeding the body's gravitational self-attraction.
Topics