A Simplified Theoretical Treatment and Simulated Experimental Calculation of the Roche Limit

摘要

First calculated theoretically in 1850 by-French mathematician Eduardo Roche, the Roche limit is the approximate distance from a Jovian planet beyond which moons are found. Within this distance, tidal forces (differential gravitational forces) are stronger than the gravitational binding forces between particles so moons cannot form and instead rings are found. Tidal forces are the differences in gravitation force exerted on different parts of an object due to being different distances from the source. This paper presents a simulation of a scientific experiment. First, a simple expression for the Roche limit, the boundary between the distances from a Jovian planet that the ring systems and moons are found, is derived. A computer simulation of an observation is then used to test the expression "experimentally."