Question

Consider the case of a single particle within the rings that has a highly elliptical and/or highly inclined orbit, such that its orbital shape is different from the other particles in the ring. What will likely happen to that particle?

Choose one:A. Nothing. It will continue to orbit around Saturn with its original orbit.B. It will bounce off another particle in the rings and gain enough energy to escape from Saturn.C. Its orbit is unstable, so it will crash into the planet.D. Collisions with other particles and the gravitational force of the rings will gradually nudge it into a more circular orbit within the flat plane of the rings.

Answer 1

Option D is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Saturn's rings are formed by thousands of ice blocks which vary in size from microscopic to as big as a car.

The particles spinning around the planet have a constant orbital velocity that continuously pushes them out to space, but Saturn's strong gravitational force pulls them towards the planet keeping the rings in line as it has done for approximately 100 million years, and will continue to do so for another 300 million years.

If by chance a particle changes its orbital angle, the gravity pull will be too strong for the particle to escape and will slowly correct its orbit over time.