Equation 13 · Part 2 · How We Know What Is Inside a Planet
subscript
subscript
What this part means
The lower label selects a particular version, component, or indexed member of the quantity. For example, x₀ and xₜ can be values at different positions.
Its job in the formula
A subscript distinguishes a version, component, step, or member of a quantity. It does not automatically mean multiplication.
Full expression→subscript→Article meaning
The passage around this formula
If a body is deformable, an external tidal potential distorts it, and the distortion changes its external gravity field in a way an orbiter can measure. The degree-two potential Love number quantifies that response. A rigid body has a small ; a body with a global liquid layer decoupling shell from interior has a large one.
Learn the underlying idea
A subscript is a label attached below a symbol. It often selects a time step, component, category, or member of a sequence.
Open the illustrated subscripts: which member of a family? guide →
Sources cited in the article section
- [14] The tides of Titan ↗
- [13] Galileo magnetometer measurements: a stronger case for a subsurface ocean at Europa ↗
These citations provide research context; check each source for the exact claim it supports.