The reason for the alignment of the Moon with one face always toward Earth is that
A) sporadic (random) impact of meteoroids on the Moon has gradually slowed its rotation.
B) the Moon started spinning in this way as it was forming and has maintained this rotation.
C) tides due to gravitational forces from the Sun, while the Moon was molten, slowed the Moon's rotation.
D) tides due to gravitational forces from Earth, while the Moon was molten, slowed the Moon's rotation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Moon's synchronous rotation, where one face always points toward Earth, is due to tidal locking. This occurs because the gravitational forces from Earth exerted on the Moon, especially when it was still in a more molten state, created tidal bulges. These bulges experienced friction that over time slowed the Moon's rotation until its rotational period matched its orbital period around Earth, resulting in the same face of the Moon always facing Earth.

The Reason for the Alignment of the Moon with One