Astronomers have been reflecting laser beams off the Moon since the early 1970\'

Question

Astronomers have been reflecting laser beams off the Moon since the early 1970's using reflectors left there by Apollo astronauts. From these experiments we have learned the Moon is moving away from the Earth at a rate of 3.8 cm per year. Discuss the specifics of the process that is causing this to occur including detail on how the energy gets to the Moon to make it recede. What is the likely end result for the Earth-Moon system because of this recession? What do you think this might mean for life on Earth?

Explanation / Answer

Moon is moving away from the earth at the rate of 0.038 meters per year,which means the moon was much closer to the Earth in the distant past.

Moon would orbit at a distance of around 558,000km away compared to the current Earth- moon distance of about 384,000km.When this occur the day on the Earth be about 48 current days long.Means Earth would be rotating about 48 times slower than today.

The fact that the moon is receding,and the Earths rotation is slowing is also a consequence of the conservation of the angular momentum.The Earth will continue to impart angular momentum to the moon until they both reach a common angular velocity.

The end of the current trend Earth rotation ,moon receding will occur when the Earth and Moon become tidally locked.However if the moon were to disappear tomarrow,the Eath would make unsuitable for life.

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