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Why does the Earth spin on it's axis whilst the Moon doesn't? what's going on here?

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    Best Answer (Chosen by Voting):

    andrewwarwick - 66-70 years old - male

    Posted by andrewwarwick Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:33AM

    The Moon does, but it has what is called a synchronous orbit, which means it's period of rotation, (spin), is the same as it's period of revolution,(time to go once around the Earth.) Result, it always keeps the same side facing us.

    [ Reply ] | Like (5)

  1. mrwednesday3495 - 36-40 years old - male

    Reply by mrwednesday3495 Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:34AM

    It's called Tidal Lock Orbit.

    Like (1)

  2. Serenitree - female

    Reply by Serenitree Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:37AM

    @andrewwarwick This was my answer. so I guess I'll just like yours and go away.

    Like (1)

    2 more replies

12 Answers to "Why does the Earth spin on it's axis whilst the Moon doesn't? what's going on here?"

  1. Nimbus007 - 46-50 years old - male

    Posted by Nimbus007 Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:34AM

    Who knows but you can bet Pink Floyd had something to do with it.

    Like (3)

  2. BalucChabtan - 36-40 years old - male

    Posted by BalucChabtan Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:30AM

    the moon does spin. it jsut happens to spin at the same rate it revolves around the earth which makes it appear that it does not.

    Like (3)

  3. mrwednesday3495 - 36-40 years old - male

    Posted by mrwednesday3495 Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:34AM

    Look up Tidal Lock Orbit and you'll get your answer.

    Like (2)

  4. romanticat69 - 66-70 years old - male

    Posted by romanticat69 May 7th, 2013 at 7:29PM

    Cheep skate.

    Like (1)

  5. ctjmur - 41-45 years old - male

    Posted by ctjmur Oct 14th, 2012 at 3:06PM

    God knows

    Like (1)

  6. needlessthings - 31-35 years old - male

    Posted by needlessthings Oct 14th, 2012 at 11:06AM

    One theory is that the moon was formed billions of years ago from the leftovers of a giant impact event between Earth and a Mars-sized body. That the moon is slowly moving away from the Earth as a function of time and the two are locked in geosynchronous orbit (matching rotation) supports that idea.

    Like (1)

  7. mrhandymanx - 51-55 years old - male

    Posted by mrhandymanx Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:55AM

    The earth is wound up tighter than the moon is ... thus causing it to spin ... oh by the way I only got a 'C' in Earth Science might not want to take my word for it.

    Like (1)

  8. Idonwannadie - 46-50 years old - male

    Posted by Idonwannadie Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:37AM

    The moon spins it axis.

    Like (1)

  9. pegasuss - 61-65 years old - male

    Posted by pegasuss Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:34AM

    Because is why.

    Like (1)

  10. Looking4clues - 26-30 years old - female

    Posted by Looking4clues Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:32AM

    I thought it did? Now I want to know too!

    Like (1)

  11. staire - 31-35 years old - male

    Posted by staire Oct 14th, 2012 at 10:29AM

    the tax man only no that

    Like (1)

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