Roche Limit (Rigid Body)
d = R·(2·rho_M / rho_m)^(1/3)
What it says
The minimum orbital distance at which a rigid satellite held only by gravity is torn apart by tidal forces from its primary, in terms of the primary radius R and the densities of the primary and satellite.
Symbols
| Symbol | Quantity | Dimension |
|---|---|---|
d | Roche limit distance (m) | L |
R | Primary body radius (m) | L |
rho_M | Primary body density (kg/m^3) | M L^-3 |
rho_m | Satellite density (kg/m^3) | M L^-3 |
Work it out
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Connects to
Filed under Astrophysics · derive through it in the explorer