How does tidal locking occur?

Question

anonymous · Answer

The gravitational force of a large mass on a small closely orbiting mass, like the Earth on the moon, produces bulges on the smaller mass that slows down its rotational velocity until it gets locked into one rotation per orbit.

anonymous · Answer

Why do these bulges slow it down? Is the constant friction of bulging 'taking away' its rotational kinetic energy?

anonymous · Answer

It's like a spinning ice skater opening their arms. I'd say it's angular momentum is slowing down.

anonymous · Answer

Isn't angular momentum conserved?

anonymous · Answer

The Earth will also be effected a bit by it, speeding up?
I'm not sure if friction is the right way to think of it. The bulges created a torque on the rotation of the moon

anonymous · Answer

Thanks; I'm really going to have to learn about torque sometime: do you have any suggestions?

anonymous · Answer

hey you want to know about torque ?

anonymous · Answer

Yes