Question

Which one of the following correctly explains what "tidal lock" is?

A) Tidal lock is when the ocean tides are synchronized with the Earth's rotation, causing regular high and low tides.

B) Tidal lock is a phenomenon in which an object, such as a moon or planet, always shows the same face to another object it is orbiting.

C) Tidal lock refers to the gravitational forces that cause objects to spin rapidly on their axes.

D) Tidal lock is a term used to describe the phenomenon of ocean waves aligning with the Earth's magnetic field, creating a magnetic lock between the Earth and the Moon.

Answer 1

Tidal lock is when an object in space always shows the same face to the object it is orbiting, caused by gravitational forces synchronizing the object's rotation with its orbit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct explanation of tidal lock is a phenomenon where an astronomical object (like a moon) always shows the same face to the object it is orbiting (like a planet). This happens because the object's rotation period has synchronized with its orbital period around the larger body due to gravitational forces. Earth's Moon is an example of a tidally locked object, as it presents the same face to Earth at all times. Over a very long period of time, Earth's rotation rate is decreasing due to the tidal forces, which also creates the potential for Earth to become tidally locked to the Moon.