Earth's rotation slows by 1.7 milliseconds every century

Science
Earth's rotation slows by 1.7 milliseconds every century

Earth's rotation is subtly decelerating, lengthening each day by 1.7 milliseconds per century due to tidal forces, a process that also pushes the Moon farther away.

Earth's daily spin is gradually slowing down, making each day longer by about 1.7 milliseconds per century. This subtle deceleration is caused by tidal friction, as the Moon's gravity pulls on our oceans, creating a drag that saps Earth's rotational energy.

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