this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2023
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No Stupid Questions

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This community is for people to ask questions they feel stupid for not knowing the answer or how to find the answer. "How do I not already know this?"

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[–] CaptObvious@literature.cafe 7 points 11 months ago

No noticeable physical effect. We’d see the entire lunar surface rather than just the side that currently faces Earth because it’s tidally locked.

[–] neidu2@feddit.nl 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Nothing, really. The centre of mass would still be in the same spot, and that's mainly what affects the earth.

However, the effect on the moon would be much different: Normally, the moon is tidally locked with earth, meaning that it always shows us the same face. This results in there not being a lot of stress on it. If it was rotating relative to us, tidal forces would be much greater, as these forces would tighten and loosen on points that would normally experience pretty static forces.

I can only speculate on the effects of this, but there would be a lot more mechanical erosion on the surface, and the body would be measurably hotter. I don't think it'd get hot enough to have a liquid core, as it radiates a lot of heat away; plus over time said rotation would most likely slow down to the point where it becomes tidaly locked again.

[–] plinky@hexbear.net 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Maybe moon would still have molten core due to more extreme tidal heating 🤔 Although earth force is puny compared to jupiter.

So not so much on earth, but cool volcanoes on the moon (possibly)

[–] culpritus@hexbear.net 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Follow Up: How much energy would it take to get the moon to start spinning faster than tidal locked?

[–] Flyberius@hexbear.net 2 points 11 months ago

Presumably any amount right? It would just become tidally locked again very quickly if you used a finger poke.