Question

Io experiences tidal heating primarily because __________.

a.it is made of relatively soft materials that deform quite easily.
b.it has an elongated shape that makes it look more like an egg than a sphere.
c.it is located very close to Jupiter.
d.its elliptical orbit causes the tidal force to vary as Io orbits Jupiter.

Answer 1

Io experiences tidal heating primarily due to its elliptical orbit causing the tidal force to vary as it orbits Jupiter, resulting in twisting and flexing that generates heat.

Step-by-step explanation:

Io experiences tidal heating primarily because its elliptical orbit causes the tidal force to vary as Io orbits Jupiter. If Io always kept the same face turned toward Jupiter, the significant bulge created by Jupiter's gravity would not generate heat. However, due to the gravitational pulls from other moons like Europa and Ganymede, Io's orbit is slightly eccentric, leading Io to twist and change its distance from Jupiter with each orbit. This twisting and flexing generate heat through friction, just like bending a wire coat hanger back and forth heats up the wire. This heating effect explains why Io, despite its relatively small size, is the most volcanically active body in the solar system.