The Moon is being pulled forward by Earth's tidal bulge. What motion results from this?
A) The pull increases the Moon's energy, causing it to move into a more distant orbit where it moves more slowly.
B) The pull increases the Moon's energy, causing it to move into a more distant orbit where it moves more rapidly.
C) The pull increases the speed of the Moon. This places it in an orbit closer to Earth as required by Kepler's third law.
D) The pull decreases the speed of the Moon. This places it in an orbit farther from Earth, as required by Kepler's third law.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pull from Earth's tidal bulge increases the Moon's orbital energy, causing it to gradually move into a higher, more distant orbit. In this more distant orbit, according to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, the Moon moves more slowly because it has a larger orbital circumference to cover and the gravitational pull from Earth is weaker.

The Moon Is Being Pulled Forward by Earth's Tidal Bulge