Our Moon revolves about Earth in the same direction as Earth's direction of rotation about its own axis. The gravitational attraction of the Moon causes tides on Earth, which gradually slow down its rotation about its own axis. What consequences does this have for the Moon?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Since the angular momentum of the Earth-Moon system has to be conserved,a decrease in the angular momentum of Earth about its axis must be balanced by an increase of the Moon's angular momentum about that axis.The radius of the Moon's orbit will thus gradually increase until it escapes from the gravitational field of Earth.

Our Moon Revolves About Earth in the Same Direction as Earth's