It's not the Earth slowing that transfers energy to the Moon, it's the friction - both ways. If the Earth were a perfect sphere of uniform density, the Moon would not gain energy from it.Forestman said:I know from reading that the Moon slows down the Earth's rotation by creating friction on the ocean floor by causing the tibes, and as a result of this the Moon gains energy and moves farther out into space. What I don't understand is though, is that when the Earth slows down how does it transfer that energy to the Moon?
granpa said:
The main source of energy transfer back to the Moon is through the reflection of sunlight. Sunlight hits the Moon's surface and is reflected back into space, carrying energy with it. This reflected energy is then absorbed by the Moon's surface and converted into heat and other forms of energy.
Yes, the Earth's atmosphere does play a role in energy transfer to the Moon. The atmosphere acts as a barrier, absorbing some of the Sun's energy before it reaches the Moon. This is why the Moon's surface is significantly colder than the Earth's surface, as it receives less direct energy from the Sun.
Yes, there are other forms of energy transfer back to the Moon. The Moon also receives a small amount of energy from Earth's magnetic field, which is created by the Earth's rotation and movement. This energy is in the form of electromagnetic radiation and is known as the Earth's magnetosphere.
The Moon's lack of atmosphere has a significant impact on energy transfer. Without an atmosphere, the Moon does not have the same level of insulation as the Earth, meaning that it loses heat more quickly. This is why the Moon's surface experiences extreme temperature differences between day and night.
Yes, energy can be transferred from the Moon to other objects in space. When the Moon's surface absorbs energy from sunlight or Earth's magnetosphere, it can also release some of that energy into space. This can happen through processes like thermal radiation or the movement of charged particles around the Moon's magnetic field.