medium · Enhanced ACT science
Model A: Saturn's rings were formed from the debris of a moon that was destroyed by tidal forces. Model B: Saturn's rings were formed from leftover material that never coalesced into a moon during the solar system's formation.
If the rings are found to be 99% pure water ice and appear to be only 100 million years old (much younger than the planet), which model is supported?
- Model B, because the high purity of the ice is exactly what would be expected from the outer regions of the early solar nebula.
- Both models, because both tidal forces and orbital mechanics are required to maintain the stability of the rings over long periods.
- Model A, because the young age suggests a relatively recent catastrophic event rather than primordial leftover material.
- Model A, because a moon made entirely of ice is the only possible source for such a large volume of pure ring material.
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