Tidal Locking — Synchronous Rotation & Roche Limit

Presets

Parameters

Mass ratio M_planet/M_moon 81

Orbital distance (R_Roche units) 10.0

Initial spin rate (× orbital) 5.0

Tidal dissipation k₂/Q 0.010

Controls

Simulation speed 1×

Stats

—

Spin period

—

Orbital period

—

Δω/ω₀

Sim time (kyr)

Tidal torque: dω/dt = −k·(ω−n)
Roche limit: d = R·(2M_p/M_m)^(1/3)
Inside Roche limit: tidal disruption wins over self-gravity.
Moon tidally locked in ~10 Myr.