surely it should be moving away or to the earth. seems unlikely that the speed, mass and gravitational forces are so well balanced? or is it the case that at an orbit at a particular distance from the earth all of these variables cause it to self correct?
2006-07-29 22:45:03 · 16 answers · asked by Mark G 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
alien form - by the same premise why bother answering a question?
2006-07-29 23:03:48 · update #1
You've basically answered your own question. The moons distance creates just enough gravitational pull from the earth to balance the force that makes it want to go flying of into space (Newtons first law of motion)
2006-07-29 22:57:24 · answer #1 · answered by duty_penguin 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The moon is slowly moving away from the Earth. Its been moving away since it was created by a huge impact made some 3-4 billion years ago.
Regarding the orbit of a body, you are correct about the self correcting nature of orbits. As long as the object doesn't slow down so much as to crash into the Earth or speed up so much that it breaks free of the gravitational pull, the object will remain in orbit (albeit maybe a very elliptical orbit).
2006-07-29 22:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by John H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the moon is actually moving away.. but very slowly The current rate at which the Earth day is increasing is 0.0018 seconds/century. The semi-major axis of the lunar orbit is increasing by 3.8 centimeters/year according to laser ranging measurements made since the 1970's using the Apollo 'corner cube reflectors' deposited on the surface by the astronauts.
It is expected that in 15 billion years, the orbit will stabilize at 1.6 times its present size, and the Earth day will be 55 days long equal to the time it will take the Moon to orbit the Earth. Of course, in less than 7 billion years, the Sun will have evolved into a red giant star and engulfed the Earth-Moon system, thereby incinerating it!
2006-07-29 22:48:18 · answer #3 · answered by underagelying 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To keep it simple, there is a balance between centrifugal force caused by the moons orbit around the earth and earths gravitational force pulling on the moon.
2006-07-30 00:19:04 · answer #4 · answered by geekboy1960 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to the gravitational pull of earth.The moon is slowly moving away from earth.Moon is stated to be broken part of Earth.
2006-07-31 17:49:33 · answer #5 · answered by leowin1948 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the force of gravitation which keeps moon to revolve around earth. actually for circular(or curved) motion a centripetal force is required which is provided by force of gravitation by earth on moon.
2006-07-29 22:53:25 · answer #6 · answered by flori 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a combine effect of gravity and centripetal force.
Measurements reveal that, at present, the Moon's distance to the Earth increases by 38 mm per year
2006-07-29 22:56:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity
2006-07-30 00:32:34 · answer #8 · answered by Ish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look like you are righht , in what you are saying about the moon ,.
but remember there gravity on the moon as well , but not as much as here on this planet ,we call mars our home ,the third planet from the sun is where i like to visit oneday , but we been watching the bestruction of those thing like boom or bomb
we are plaining a trip to your planet , can wee stop by your place
when we all get there ,be like two weeks your time ,,
by the way mars is lovely this time . be seeing you
all soon , *%*(#!) water
2006-07-29 23:06:03 · answer #9 · answered by j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is indeed moving away from Earth, eventually it will go completely, but that is a long way in the future.
2006-07-29 22:49:46 · answer #10 · answered by fletcheyc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋