Why does the Moon always show approximately the same face toward the Earth?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. its orbital period around Earth equals its rotational period on its axis due to tidal locking
- Step 1: Gravitational tidal friction has locked the Moon's rotation period to its orbital period (~27.3 days), a state known as synchronous rotation or tidal locking. Answer: its orbital period around Earth equals its rotational period on its axis due to tidal locking. Why not the others: The Moon does rotate; synchronous rotation means 1 rotation per 1 orbit.
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