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Equation 14 · Part 3 · How We Know What Is Inside a Planet

subscript

k2=0.589±0.150k_{2} = 0.589 \pm 0.150
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.

The passage around this formula

Cassini flew six flybys of Titan between 2006 and 2011 with a gravity-quality radio link, and Iess and colleagues recovered k2k_{2} = 0.589 ±\pm 0.150 , with an alternative solution of 0.637 ±\pm 0.224 [ 14 ] . Both are far too large for a rigid ice shell over rock and are consistent with a global ocean at depth [ 14 ] . The measurement did not see the ocean; it measured how much the whole moon flexes each orbit, and only a decoupled shell flexes that much.

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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.

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Sources cited in the surrounding passage

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