What effect does the Moon have on the Earth's day-night cycle?
A)Tides cause the Earth's rotation to slow gradually, lengthening the day-night cycle.
B)The pull of gravity from the Moon causes the Earth's rotation to speed up slightly, shorteningthe day-night cycle.
C)The interaction between the magnetic fields of the Earth and the Moon causes the Earth'srotation to slow gradually, lengthening the day-night cycle.
D)The Moon has no effect on the Earth's day-night cycle.
E)The Sun controls Earth's day-night cycle and the Moon only affects this during eclipses.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth's oceans causes tides, which in turn exert a force on the Earth's rotation. This force gradually slows down the Earth's rotation, which lengthens the day-night cycle by a small amount (around 1.7 milliseconds per century). The gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth causes tides, which exerts a force on the oceans and land masses, resulting in a loss of rotational energy of the Earth, and thus gradually lengthening the day-night cycle. This phenomenon is known as tidal braking or lunar braking.

What Effect Does the Moon Have on the Earth's Day-Night