The heating of the interior of Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter, is caused by
A) thermal heating from Jupiter because Jupiter emits more infrared radiation than it receives from the Sun.
B) continual bombardment by meteoroids attracted by Jupiter's enormous gravitational pull.
C) continuous tidal distortion by Jupiter and the other moons.
D) the fact that Io moves inside Jupiter's magnetosphere, where the temperature is as high as anywhere in the solar system.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The heating of Io's interior is primarily due to continuous tidal distortion by Jupiter and the other moons. This process, known as tidal heating, occurs because Io is in a slightly elliptical orbit. As Io orbits Jupiter, its distance from the planet varies, leading to variations in gravitational pull. This causes Io to flex and bend, generating internal friction and heat.

The Heating of the Interior of Io, the Innermost Galilean