Earth's Momentum (Posted on 2003-03-12)

	Submitted by Charlie
Rating: 3.0000 (6 votes)
Solution:	(Hide)
The angular momentum is being transferred to the moon's revolution about the earth, bringing it to a higher orbit (the distance more than compensates for the slower speed of higher orbits). The mechanism is that the friction of the earth's rotation on the tidal bulges pushes those bulges out ahead of being directly beneath the moon. Those bulges pull on the moon with the same force that the moon is pulling on them. Specifically, the leading one has greater pull than the one on the opposite side of the earth, and gives a tug on the moon in the same direction as it is travelling, nudging it into a higher orbit, which paradoxically is slower, but is the same direction as if the moon had a rocket pushing out it's trailing side.

	Subject	Author	Date
	re(10): I agree	Ken Haley	2004-09-30 22:33:19
	re(9): I disagree - me too, with you	ThoughtProvoker	2004-09-30 01:48:05
	re(8): I disagree - me too, with you	Ken Haley	2004-09-29 22:24:54
	re(7): I disagree - me too, with you	ThoughtProvoker	2004-09-28 23:57:05
	re(6): I disagree - me too, with you	Ken Haley	2004-09-28 22:19:55
	re(5): I disagree - me too, with you	ThoughtProvoker	2004-09-28 10:52:52
	re(5): I disagree - me too, with you	Charlie	2004-09-28 08:08:15
	re(4): I disagree - me too, with you	Ken Haley	2004-09-27 23:33:27
	re(3): I disagree - me too, with you	Charlie	2004-09-27 10:20:47
	re(3): I disagree - me too, with you	ThoughtProvoker	2004-09-27 03:15:22
	re(2): I disagree - me too, with you	Ken Haley	2004-09-26 22:50:13
	re: I disagree - me too, with you	ThoughtProvoker	2004-09-03 01:08:10
	I disagree	Ken Haley	2004-09-03 00:18:12
	simple	Jack Putz	2003-07-15 04:10:01
	Sol	Chaz	2003-05-03 09:25:56
	Solution	friedlinguini	2003-03-12 18:51:48