Earth's Spin & Moon: Impact on Rotation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between Earth's rotation and the Moon's tidal effects, specifically addressing whether Earth's spin would recover if the Moon's resisting torque were removed. Participants concluded that unlike a motor, which can regain speed with an external power source, Earth's rotation is governed solely by its inertia. Therefore, if the Moon's torque were eliminated, Earth would not regain its initial spin rate.

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  • Understanding of inertia and angular momentum
  • Basic knowledge of tidal forces and their effects
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of rotational motion
  • Concept of torque and its implications in physical systems
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  • Study the principles of angular momentum conservation
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termina
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Hello there!

When a motor is turning, if one applies a resisting torque on the rotor,
the latter would brake, but then if one remove the torque,
the motor recovers its initial speed.

Is the same with Earth's spin and Moon's resisting torque on it (due to tidal effect)?
ie: if, one day, the aforementioned torque is put off, would our planet recover its initial spin rate?
 
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termina said:
Hello there!

When a motor is turning, if one applies a resisting torque on the rotor,
the latter would brake, but then if one remove the torque,
the motor recovers its initial speed.

Is the same with Earth's spin and Moon's resisting torque on it (due to tidal effect)?
ie: if, one day, the aforementioned torque is put off, would our planet recover its initial spin rate?

No. The motor is driven from an outside power source which supplies the energy needed to bring the motor up to speed. The Earth's spin is just due to its own inertia and there is no power source to speed it up again.
 

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