Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 8: Problem 21

Explain why most of the satellites of Jupiter orbit that planet in the same direction that Jupiter rotates.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Jupiter's satellites orbit the planet in the same direction as its rotation because they both were formed from the same spinning protoplanetary disc. This disc maintained the angular momentum of the initial molecular cloud from which it formed. Hence, the rotation direction of Jupiter and the orbit direction of its satellites are aligned due to the conservation of angular momentum.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Formation of Planetary Systems

Planetary systems, including planets and their respective satellites, generally form from a spinning protoplanetary disc of gas and dust. This disc emerged from the gravitational collapse of a large, molecular cloud, and it maintained the original angular momentum that the cloud possessed.
02

Explaining the Direction of Planetary Rotation

During the star formation process, the protoplanetary disc densifies at the center creating a star (in this case, Jupiter). The star continues to spin in the same direction as the original angular momentum preserved from the molecular cloud.
03

Explaining the Orbit Direction of Satellites

Over time, the remaining material in the disc forms satellites that orbit the planet. Since the protoplanetary disk continued to rotate in the same direction as the original cloud, the satellites that form from this disc will also maintain the same rotation direction.
04

Connection between Jupiter's Rotation and Satellite Orbit Direction

Therefore, since Jupiter and its satellites originate from the same spinning disc, they both inherited this initial angular momentum. Hence, the satellites orbit Jupiter in the same direction as its rotation.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Suppose that a planetary system is now forming around some protostar in the sky. In what ways might this planetary system turn out to be similar to or different from our own solar system? Explain your reasoning.

The planet discovered orbiting the star 70 Virginis (" \(70 \mathrm{Vir}\) " in Figure 8-17), 59 light-years from Earth, moves in an orbit with semimajor axis \(0.48 \mathrm{AU}\) and eccentricity \(0.40\). The period of the orbit is \(116.7\) days. Find the mass of 70 Virginis. Compare your answer with the mass of the Sun. (Hint: The planet has far less mass than the star.)

Propose an explanation why the Jovian planets are orbited by terrestrial-like satellites.

What is a chondrule? How do we know they were not formed by the ambient heat of the solar nebula?

Suppose astronomers discovered a planetary system in which the planets orbit a star along randomly inclined orbits. How might a theory for the formation of that planetary system differ from that for our own?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Energy Physics

Read Explanation

Geometrical and Physical Optics

Read Explanation

Rotational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Modern Physics

Read Explanation

Linear Momentum

Read Explanation

Electromagnetism

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free