Would moon fall to Earth if Earth wasnt rotating ? And if rotating at what height moon would have to be to ignor orbiting and fall ?
Asked
Active
Viewed 77 times
1 Answers
2
No, the moon stays in orbit due to its translational motion relative to the center of the earth. The Earth's rotatation is not a factor in keeping the moon in orbit.
Think of it this way -- the moon is moving across the sky, while falling. By the time it's fallen a little bit, it's moved out of the way of the earth a little bit, too. These effects exactly cancel out, and this keeps the moon moving in a circle. (well, actually an ellipse, but close enough for the purposes of this)

Zo the Relativist
- 41,373
- 2
- 74
- 143