I think the answer is a lot, but it is not infinate.
Tides are caused by the moons gravitational effect on the earths oceans, but equally the oceans have a gravitational effect on the moon.
This is slowing down the moon at a very very tiny rate.
If we make use of tidal energy, then we slow down the flow of water, therefore increase the rate at which the moon's orbit is being slowed, by an almost infinatesimal amount.
Anyone got an estimate for the numbers?
Presumably the total energy available is the kinetic energy of the moon: 1/2m(v squared), where m is the mass of the moon, and v is it's velocity.
But if the moon slows too much, will it's orbit not decay?
How slow can it go before we need to panic?
2006-09-13
13:07:54
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7 answers
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asked by
Hairyloon
3