Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

roche limit

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.30 in modern English

Syllables: roche lim-it
IPA

17

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The closest a satellite can approach its parent body before the gravitational forces holding it together are overwhelmed by tidal forces pulling it apart.

Example Sentences

"It might be argued, therefore, that Jupiter is so massive and its gravitational field so intense that it swept out the matter within its Roche limit very effectively."
"The prelunar mass must first be moved outside the Roche limit if accumulation is to occur."
"If, however, the planet's moon comes inside the Roche limit, the tidal forces overcome its gravity and pull the moon apart."

Etymology

Named after French astronomer Édouard Roche, who first calculated the limit in 1848.

Inflected Forms

Roche limits (plural)

Phrases

Roche lobe Roche surface

Frequently Paired Words

Roche lobe Roche surface

Synonyms

Roche radius

Questions

What does roche limit mean?: The closest a satellite can approach its parent body before the gravitational forces holding it together are overwhelmed by tidal forces pulling it apart.
Where does roche limit come from?: Named after French astronomer Édouard Roche, who first calculated the limit in 1848.

How to pronounce roche limit

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