Moon (1 Viewer)

[lebbo solider]

examine the truth of the statement

"the moon moves in a near-circular orbit around earth. because the earth is so much more massive, it own motion is not appreciably affected by the moons presence"

plz help

 

[alcalder]

OK , think of the ex-planet Pluto (yes, now an ex-planet and something else). It's moon, Charon, is about the same size as the planet. Consequently, the two bodies almost do a dance around each other as they orbit the sun. Likewise, binary stars of comparable mass.

Now, the Earth is much more massive than the moon and hence has a greater inertia and will take a greater force than the moon can offer to move it. The Earth may wobble some due to the Earth but not by much.

Does that help, or do you need more than that?