Tidal Locking Resonance
Spin-orbit resonance dynamics — tidal dissipation drives capture into resonant states
Parameters
Orbital period T_orb:
10
s
Spin period T_spin:
10
s
Tidal dissipation Q⁻¹:
0.02
Eccentricity e:
0.0
Current: 1:1 resonance
1:1 (Moon)
3:2 (Mercury)
2:1
Free spin
Tidal locking
: Tidal torques dissipate rotational energy until the body's spin synchronizes with its orbit.
Mercury is in a 3:2 resonance — 3 rotations per 2 orbits — due to its high orbital eccentricity. The Moon is in 1:1, always showing one face.
ω̇ = −Q⁻¹·(ω − n·p/q)
, where n = mean motion, p:q = resonance ratio.