What is the difference between a planetary ring system and a debris ring?

Planetary ring systems and debris rings are both features commonly found around celestial bodies in our solar system and beyond, but they differ in their composition, origin, and characteristics.

A planetary ring system is a disk-like structure made up of countless particles, ranging in size from dust to large boulders, that orbit around a planet. These particles are believed to be remnants of comets, asteroids, or even moons that have been shattered or disrupted by gravitational forces. Planetary ring systems are typically found around gas giants such as Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, but they have also been observed around smaller bodies like Chariklo and Haumea. The particles in a planetary ring system are generally held in place by the gravitational pull of the planet.

On the other hand, a debris ring is a much thinner, flatter structure composed mainly of dust and small particles that are the result of collisions between larger objects, such as moons or asteroids. Debris rings are not held in place by a planet's gravity and are instead located at a specific distance from the planet known as the Roche limit. Inside this limit, the gravitational forces of the planet are stronger than the forces holding the debris together, causing it to be pulled apart and forming a planetary ring system. Outside the Roche limit, the debris remains in a thinner ring-like structure known as a debris ring. Debris rings have been observed around several planets, including Saturn and Uranus.