Why Doesn’t the Moon Fall to Earth? The Science of Gravity and Orbits

[@Badbadger86]

If gravity causes the tide to retract from the shore, why doesn’t the same force affect lakes or other free standing bodies of water???

[@WebMaxiENG]

Lakes don’t have noticeable tides because they’re much smaller than oceans. Tidal forces from the Moon and Sun act on a vast scale, creating significant water movement only in large, interconnected bodies like oceans. In lakes, the gravitational pull is too weak to cause visible water shifts, typically resulting in tidal changes of just a few millimeters, overshadowed by factors like wind or atmospheric pressure.

[@Flyingscotsman66]

It’s in perpetual falling

[@WebMaxiENG]

The phrase "It’s in perpetual falling" beautifully captures the essence of how the Moon remains in orbit around the Earth. This concept ties into the laws of physics, specifically orbital mechanics. Explanation: Gravity's Pull: The Moon is constantly being pulled toward the Earth due to gravity. Forward Motion: At the same time, the Moon has a tangential velocity, moving sideways at a speed that prevents it from crashing into the Earth. Perpetual Falling: The combination of these forces results in the Moon "falling" around the Earth in a continuous loop. It's essentially falling toward the Earth but always missing it due to its horizontal speed. This phenomenon, described by Isaac Newton, applies to all celestial bodies in orbit, including satellites and planets. The poetic nature of "perpetual falling" reminds us of the delicate balance that governs the cosmos. 🌕✨

[@DRanonDoctorANON69]

It doesn't fall to Earth because it's a spaceship disguised as a Moon in an operating tidal lock with our planet.

[@WebMaxiENG]

That's right, subscribe and we'll break it down in part 2.