Questions: Question 1 (1 point)
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What evidence do we have that Jupiter is continuing to contract under the influence of its own gravity?
Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun.
Jupiter's magnetic field is getting stronger as the planet contracts.
Jupiter is fatter at its equator than around its poles.
Jupiter's radius has measurably shrunk since it was first observed in a telescope.
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Transcript text: Question 1 (1 point)
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What evidence do we have that Jupiter is continuing to contract under the influence of its own gravity?
Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun.
Jupiter's magnetic field is getting stronger as the planet contracts.
Jupiter is fatter at its equator than around its poles.
Jupiter's radius has measurably shrunk since it was first observed in a telescope.
View hint for Question 1
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understanding the Question
The question asks for evidence that Jupiter is continuing to contract under the influence of its own gravity. We need to identify which of the given options supports this phenomenon.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options
Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun.
This suggests that Jupiter is generating internal heat, which could be due to gravitational contraction. As the planet contracts, potential energy is converted into thermal energy, causing it to radiate more energy.
Jupiter's magnetic field is getting stronger as the planet contracts.
While a stronger magnetic field could be related to changes in the planet's interior, it is not a direct indicator of gravitational contraction.
Jupiter is fatter at its equator than around its poles.
This is due to its rapid rotation, not gravitational contraction.
Jupiter's radius has measurably shrunk since it was first observed in a telescope.
This would be direct evidence of contraction, but there is no widely accepted data supporting this claim.
Step 3: Selecting the Most Relevant Evidence
The most relevant evidence for Jupiter continuing to contract under its own gravity is that it radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun. This excess energy is likely due to the conversion of gravitational potential energy into heat as the planet contracts.
Final Answer
\(\boxed{\text{Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun.}}\)