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Line 1: + − Tidal locking is the process by which two bodies in an orbital relationship will, over time, come to show the same face to one another. In other words, the period of rotation about the axis of the body will come to match the body's orbital period.+ − − '''Mechanism''' Line 13:
Line 12: − '''Example'''+ − '''See also'''+ + +
wikifying article
'''Tidal locking''' is the process by which two bodies in an orbital relationship will, over time, come to show the same face to one another. In other words, the period of rotation about the axis of the body will come to match the body's orbital period.
==Mechanism==
Considering two bodies, one larger (A) than the other (B):
Considering two bodies, one larger (A) than the other (B):
This process will also alter the rotation of body A, but if A is much larger, then the process will take a greater amount of time.
This process will also alter the rotation of body A, but if A is much larger, then the process will take a greater amount of time.
==Example==
One example of tidal locking is the [[Earth]]/[[Moon]] system. The moon has become tidally locked, and so continually shows the same face to inhabitants of planet Earth.
One example of tidal locking is the [[Earth]]/[[Moon]] system. The moon has become tidally locked, and so continually shows the same face to inhabitants of planet Earth.
==See also==
* [[Lunar tides]]
* [[Gravity]]