Re: OT? Why Doesn't the Moon Fall Down?
- From: Cyde Weys <cydeweys@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:36:14 -0700
On Jul 10, 6:13 pm, Terry <Kilow...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
http://sciencehack.com/
The vid on the link shows that the moon is moving exactly the right
speed to prevent it from shooting off into space or be pulled to
earth.
It seems like something besides speed has to be keeping the moon where
it is.
No, there's no magic going on, just a little bit of misunderstanding
of the science involved. Let me give you an example.
Let's say you're taking a road trip from Baltimore to New York City
without stopping, and that you do so at a constant speed. There's
only one speed you can go at that will get you there in exactly 5 hrs
37 mins 21 secs. Does that mean there must be something besides speed
making you get there in exactly 5 hrs 37 mins 21 secs? No. Just go a
bit faster and you'll get there sooner; go a bit slower, and you'll
get there later.
Yes, it is true that there is only one velocity of orbit that gives
the Moon the exact orbit that it is in, but if that velocity was
slightly lower, then the Moon's orbit would simply be a bit closer in,
and if the velocity was slightly higher, the orbit would be a bit
farther out. There's nothing magical about the Moon's current orbit;
that's just the way it happens to be.
.
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