Does Changing the Moon's Volume Affect Its Revolution?

In summary, the conversation discusses the potential effects on the moon's revolution if it were expanded like a balloon with the same mass but lower density. It is mentioned that for perfect spheres, there would be no difference in gravitational attraction and therefore no change in the moon's orbit. However, there are also rotational effects that cause the moon to sync with the Earth, known as tide-lock. The experts mention that this depends on the distribution of mass within the bodies and suggest consulting an Astronomy or Astrophysics expert for further elaboration.
  • #1
SidT
4
0
Let us consider the revolution of the moon around the Earth. If the moon was expanded like a balloon so that it had the same mass but different volume (and therefore lower density), would it effect the moon's revolution in any way?
I probably sound like a retard right now...:confused:
 
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  • #2
For perfect spheres there wouldn't be a difference in gravitational attraction so the orbit would be the same I suppose.

It's easy to show that the potential of a spherical object is the same as the one of a point. I just did a calculation and apparently even the force on a homogeneous sphere due to a potential is the same as the force on a point particle with the same mass at the center of the sphere. So the gravitational attraction between spheres is the same as between points.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_theorem

But somehow there are also rotational effects which cause the moon to sync with the earth. Not exactly sure how that works, but a different radius would make a difference.
 
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  • #3
Thanks a lot. :)
 
  • #4
Gerenuk said:
But somehow there are also rotational effects which cause the moon to sync with the earth. Not exactly sure how that works, but a different radius would make a difference.

The effect is called tide-lock. I'm certainly no expert, but it seems to me that it depends upon the distribution of mass within one or both of the component bodies. That would, for instance, imply that the near side of the moon is slightly more massive than the far side.
Best that one of the Astronomy or Astrophysics experts elaborate. You can also Google tidal lockage.
 

FAQ: Does Changing the Moon's Volume Affect Its Revolution?

How does volume affect revolution?

The volume of a system can impact the rate of revolution by changing the amount of space available for movement and interaction between particles. As volume increases, the distance between particles also increases, leading to a decrease in the frequency of collisions and a slower rate of revolution. Conversely, decreasing volume can lead to a higher rate of revolution as particles are closer together and more likely to collide.

What is the relationship between volume and revolution?

The relationship between volume and revolution is inverse. As volume increases, the rate of revolution decreases and vice versa. This is because volume directly affects the density and pressure of a system, which in turn impacts the speed and frequency of particle movement and collisions.

How does volume affect the equilibrium state of a system?

The equilibrium state of a system is affected by changes in volume. For example, if volume is increased, the equilibrium position will shift to favor the side with more moles of gas, as this will help to balance out the increased space. Similarly, decreasing volume can shift the equilibrium position towards the side with fewer moles of gas.

Are there any exceptions to the relationship between volume and revolution?

While the inverse relationship between volume and revolution holds true for most systems, there are some exceptions. For example, in a system with a fixed number of particles, increasing volume may not necessarily lead to a decrease in the rate of revolution. This is because the particles can still interact and collide with each other even with more space between them.

How can we measure the effect of volume on revolution?

The effect of volume on revolution can be measured by conducting experiments and collecting data. For gases, this can involve changing the volume of a container and measuring the corresponding changes in temperature, pressure, and other properties. For chemical reactions, the effect of volume on revolution can be observed by altering the volume of reactants and monitoring the rate of reaction.

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