The distance from a planet within which tides would tear a satellite apart is called the
A)Chandrasekhar limit
B)Schwarzschild radius
C)Roche limit
D)Coriolis distance

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Roche limit is the closest distance that a celestial body, such as a planet, satellite, or comet, can approach a much larger body before being torn apart by tidal forces. It is named after Edouard Roche, who first calculated this distance in 1848. It is important in astronomy because it determines the minimum distance at which a satellite can orbit a planet without being destroyed by tidal forces.

The Distance from a Planet Within Which Tides Would Tear