If the Moon takes 27 days to orbit Earth, how many degrees does it move per day along its orbit?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: 13.3°
Explanation:
The Moon takes approximately 27.3 days to complete one full revolution of 360° around the Earth.
Therefore, the Moon's average daily angular displacement can be calculated as:
Daily angular displacement = 360° ÷ 27.3
≈ 13.2° per day ≈ 13.3° per day
Hence, the Moon travels approximately 13.3° along its orbit each day.
Additional Points:
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Due to the Moon's daily orbital movement, it generally rises approximately 50 minutes later each day when observed from Earth.
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This happens because the Earth must rotate slightly farther for the Moon to appear at the same position in the sky.
Important Questions and Answers:
Question: How long does it take for the Moon to complete a full revolution around the Earth?
Answer: Approximately 27.3 days.
Question: What is the approximate daily orbital motion of the Moon in degrees?
Answer: About 13.3° per day.