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Chapter 11: Problem 2

Why are Ganymede and Callisto geologically dead while the other two Galilean moons of Jupiter are active? a. they are larger b. they are farther from Jupiter c. they are more massive d. they have retrograde orbits

Short Answer

Expert verified
Ganymede and Callisto are geologically dead because they are farther from Jupiter and experience weaker tidal forces.

Step by step solution

01

- Identify Ganymede and Callisto

Ganymede and Callisto are two of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter, which also include Io and Europa.
02

- Understand Geological Activity

Geological activity generally includes processes like volcanism and tectonics. Active moons show evidence of these processes, while geologically dead moons show little to no such activity.
03

- Analyze Factors

Consider which factors (size, distance, mass, orbit direction) could influence geological activity. Larger size can retain internal heat. Distance affects tidal forces exerted by Jupiter. More mass can retain more heat, and orbit direction generally doesn't directly influence geological activity.
04

- Effect of Tidal Forces

Moons closer to Jupiter experience stronger tidal forces. These tidal forces generate internal heat (tidal heating) through friction, which can lead to geological activity.
05

- Compare Proximity

Ganymede and Callisto are farther from Jupiter compared to Io and Europa. Therefore, they experience much weaker tidal forces, resulting in less internal heating and thus less geological activity.
06

Conclusion

The primary reason Ganymede and Callisto are geologically dead compared to Io and Europa is that they are farther from Jupiter, experiencing weaker tidal forces and less internal heating.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Ganymede
Ganymede is one of the Galilean moons, orbiting Jupiter. It holds the title of the largest moon in our solar system, even bigger than the planet Mercury. Despite its size, Ganymede is geologically inactive. Unlike its siblings Io and Europa, Ganymede doesn't show much evidence of volcanism or tectonic activity.
This is primarily due to its distance from Jupiter, leading to weaker tidal forces. These forces are responsible for generating internal heat through friction. Without substantial tidal heating, Ganymede's internal processes have slowed, making it geologically 'dead.'
Callisto
Callisto, another of Jupiter's Galilean moons, is almost as large as Mercury. It's known for its heavily cratered and ancient surface, suggesting little to no geological activity. Like Ganymede, Callisto is far from Jupiter, reducing the tidal forces acting upon it.
This distance means the internal heat generated by these forces is minimal. Consequently, Callisto doesn't experience significant geological processes, such as volcanism or tectonics. Its quiet geological nature contrasts sharply with the more dynamic, active moons like Io and Europa.
Tidal Forces
Tidal forces play a crucial role in determining the geological activity of moons. These forces arise due to the gravitational pull between a planet and its moon. In the case of Jupiter's moons, the closer a moon is to Jupiter, the stronger the tidal forces it experiences.
These forces stretch and squeeze the moon, generating internal friction and heat, a process known as tidal heating. This internal heat can drive geological activity, causing volcanism and tectonics. Moons farther from Jupiter, like Ganymede and Callisto, experience weaker tidal forces and thus less tidal heating, leading to less geological activity.
Jupiter's Moons
The Galilean moons of Jupiter consist of Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. These moons were discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610 and are among the largest moons in the solar system. They exhibit a range of geological activities:
  • Io: Highly active with numerous volcanoes.
  • Europa: Possesses a subsurface ocean and shows signs of tectonic activity.
  • Ganymede: Largest moon, but geologically inactive.
  • Callisto: Geologically quiet with a heavily cratered surface.
These differences in geological activity are influenced by their proximity to Jupiter and the resulting tidal forces.
Geological Activity
Geological activity refers to processes like volcanism, tectonics, and surface renewal. These activities are indicators of a celestial body’s internal heat and dynamic processes. On moons, such as Jupiter's Galilean satellites, this activity is driven largely by tidal heating.
Moons close to Jupiter like Io and Europa are geologically active due to stronger tidal forces. In contrast, distant moons like Ganymede and Callisto lack substantial geological activity. They do not generate enough internal heat due to weaker tidal forces, making them geologically 'dead.'

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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