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The Moon orbits the Earth such that the same side always
Chapter 2, Problem 69GP(choose chapter or problem)
Problem 69GP
The Moon orbits the Earth such that the same side always faces the Earth. Determine the ratio of the Moon's spin angular momentum (about its own axis) to its orbital angular momentum. (In the latter case, treat the Moon as a particle orbiting the Earth.)
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Problem 69GP
The Moon orbits the Earth such that the same side always faces the Earth. Determine the ratio of the Moon's spin angular momentum (about its own axis) to its orbital angular momentum. (In the latter case, treat the Moon as a particle orbiting the Earth.)
ANSWER:
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 of 2
The Moon possesses both spin and orbital angular momentum. However, the Moon orbits the Earth, facing the same side always. Therefore, its spin angular velocity = orbital angular velocity.
It is known that the radius of the Moon is
Also, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is . Let’s consider that M is the mass of the Moon.