Both Earth and Neptune rotate eastward on their axes. Triton raises a tidal bulge on Neptune just like the Moon raises a tidal bulge on Earth. In each case the bulge is eastward of the actual position of the satellite in its orbit. Why is this?
A)In each case the planet rotates faster than the satellite moves in its orbit, so friction drags the tidal bulge forward with the planet.
B)The tidal bulge is actually caused by a combination of gravitational effects from the satellite and the Sun, not just the satellite alone.
C)Both Earth's Moon and Triton are in retrograde orbits about their planets.
D)The tidal bulge is due to the rotation of the planet as well as the gravitational pull of the satellite.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DThe tidal bulge being eastward of the satellite's position is due to the faster rotation of the planet compared to the satellite's orbital speed, causing friction to drag the bulge forward (A). Additionally, the rotation of the planet and the gravitational pull from the satellite together contribute to the formation of the tidal bulge (D).

Both Earth and Neptune Rotate Eastward on Their Axes