What would happen if a moon fell within Jupiter's Roche limit?
A) It would be captured into orbit.
B) It would collide with Jupiter.
C) It would be ejected from Jupiter's gravitational field.
D) It would crumble into smaller pieces.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Roche limit is the distance within which a celestial body, held together only by its own gravity, will disintegrate due to a second celestial body's tidal forces exceeding the first body's gravitational self-attraction. Thus, if a moon fell within Jupiter's Roche limit, it would crumble into smaller pieces due to these tidal forces.

What Would Happen If a Moon Fell Within Jupiter's Roche