The Moon exerts a torque on Earth\'s tidal bulge. Although the tides are raised

Question

The Moon exerts a torque on Earth's tidal bulge. Although the tides are raised in part by the Moon itself, friction between the bulge and Earths oceans and atmosphere cause it to be in front of the Earth-Moon line in the sense of Moon's motion around Earth. Consequently , the Moon applies a torque that is acting in opposition to Earth's rotation, and is also trying to change the direction of the axis in space. The result is ...

Pick those that apply.

a) The direction of Earth's axis precessing around the plane of its orbit.

b) A speeding up of Earth's rotation

c) The Moon moving farther away from Earth to conserve system total angular momentum

d) A lengthening of the day by a second every few years

a) The direction of Earth's axis precessing around the plane of its orbit.

b) A speeding up of Earth's rotation

c) The Moon moving farther away from Earth to conserve system total angular momentum

d) A lengthening of the day by a second every few years

Explanation / Answer

The gravitational torque between the Moon and the tidal bulge of Earth causes the Moon to be constantly promoted to a slightly higher orbit and Earth to be decelerated in its rotation. As in any physical process within an isolated system, total energy and angular momentum are conserved.
hence slowing earth's rotaion increase duraiton of day by a second every few years, and the moon moves away to conserv total angular momentum
hence
option c and d

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