Gravity and angular momentum?
I read that the angular momentum of a celestial body can be influenced by the gravitational force of another body, which exerts a torque on the body. How exactly does it do this? I thought the rotation comes from within itself and can't be influenced when it enters other gravitational fields. But apparently it can, so how?
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tidal friction in the inhomogeneous gravity field.
This is called tidal friction. The moon turns the same side to us because the Earth has slowed its rotation. The earth also turns slower and slower because the moon slows it down.
From the pulsation rate, it follows that the moon is removed from the earth.
But no fear, these effects are detectable, but practically insignificant.