What happens? Just to have a figure to play with then, if the mass of the moon was to be increased by say, 10%, what would the consequences on Earth be? I'm looking for the magnitude of the effects rather than the phenomena themselves, thanks people.
2006-08-28 11:15:02 · 7 answers · asked by bur667 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The mass of the moon primarily affects tidal forces and its orbit, both results of gravity.
Right now, the moon's gravity causes the tides to go up or down by about 54 cm from a theoratical 'zero' point. There is variation in this figure of about 18%, depending on the exact point of the moon's elliptical orbit it's in, the land masses that happen to be in the way, and so on.
Gravity is stright multiplicative, so 10% more mass means 10% more gravity between the moon and everything it effects. Tides aren't strictly caused by gravity, but more by gravitational flux - a difference between the pull on slightly nearer vs slightly farther objects... something that varies by the square of the distance.
So assuming our distances don't change too much (we'll get to that next) the only thing that changes is the gravitational pull, so we might see the tides changing by 5 cm more. Hardly a catastrophic event. Still, it would swamp out some areas which can barely handle high tides when the moon lies in the same direction as the sun.
As far as orbits go, higher acceleration isn't likely to cause the moon's orbit to decay (that usually requires some kind of long-term drag) but will probably pull the orbit in a little closer. There's about a 4:1 ratio of mass to orbital distance, to an increase of 10% is only likely to cause a change in orbital distance of about 2%. Which is again not a particularly massive difference.
In fact, because of the drag produced on the moon and the conservation of angular momentum, it has been moving away from the Earth, presumably for as long as we've had oceans. Some estimates hold that the moon was about 2% closer only 150,000 years ago (give or take). If that is so, then all the increase in mass would do would be to slow its escape a little bit.
Hope that helps!
2006-08-28 11:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you increase the mass of the moon by a 10%, so does the gravity. Consequently, it would need an 'adjustment' by getting closer to the earth. The consequences of that would be catastrophic. For example, tides would be a lot more noticeable, and sea level would rise and reach many yards - if not miles - inland. That means many coastal towns and cities worldwide would drown into the sea. As well, it would cause all kind of geological consequences, altering the magma flow in the subterranean layers of Earth, thus causing volcanic eruptions worldwide. In short, it would affect our world so deeply that, after the re-adjustment it would need, there'd probably be no other life than microscopic life anymore. Nice end of the world scenario.
2006-08-28 11:24:21 · answer #2 · answered by Kazeed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would make more occuring tidal waves(no, not tsunamis, they are similar, but not the same) and larger tides It would also knock around the order of the seasons just a little bit. Also, eventually, the moon and earth would collide and then earth would have a ring, like saturn.
2006-08-28 12:39:44 · answer #3 · answered by cuulcars101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Huge waves hitting further inland than of now.
But then a more massive moon would move away from the Earth faster than the present one is doing.
If you want the magnitude of the effects then do your own sums.
2006-08-28 11:23:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Lunar escape speed is two.37 (km/sec) ~ 5300 mph Computed by using: SQRT(2*G*MoonMass/MoonRadius) the place G is gravitational consistent. Or, by using: SQRT(2*MoonGravityAcc*MoonRadius) SQRT(2*a million.622 m/s^2 * a million,737,000 m) = = 2373 (meters / 2nd) = 5300 mph observe that on the lunar floor you're nearer to the middle of gravity. the only-6th is sq.-rooted so it factors in at >40% for the respond. further info: escape speed is the fee a bullet desires to be shot at to "coast" each of how up & out of orbit. you are able to make the comparable go for holiday at a slower speed yet might desire to combat gravity each of how up. The escape speed decreases with altitude.
2016-11-05 23:42:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you increase the mass you increase the gravity. The Moon is on sixth the size of the Earth, there fore it has on sixth the gravity.
2006-08-28 11:28:13 · answer #6 · answered by Kevin H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let us all eat cheese!
2006-08-28 11:20:27 · answer #7 · answered by Away With The Fairies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋