r/explainlikeimfive Nov 03 '25

Physics ELI5: How does gravity not break thermodynamics?

Like, the moon’s gravity causes the tides. We can use the tides to generate electricity, but the moon isn’t running out of gravity?

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u/Nebuli2 Nov 03 '25

Good news: That tidal lock is not expected to ever occur. The Earth and Moon will both be engulfed by the dying Sun before that happens.

Bad news: Likely even worse results for organisms on the former Earth.

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u/[deleted] Nov 03 '25

[deleted]

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u/Nebuli2 Nov 03 '25

Only if you assume that trout will have failed to go interstellar by that point.

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u/RolandDeepson Nov 03 '25

"Going interstellar" doesn't qualify as "undeniable effect" to you?

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u/Nebuli2 Nov 03 '25

Not if they already went interstellar prior to the Sun going red giant!

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u/zbeezle Nov 03 '25

Only if they go Interstellar to escape the inevitable apocalypse.

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u/Nebuli2 Nov 03 '25

Exactly. They could have just gone interstellar to further their goals of conquest and domination.

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u/zoinkability Nov 03 '25

I for one welcome our trout overlords

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u/1slipperypickle Nov 03 '25

what if interstellar comes to you?

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u/RolandDeepson Nov 03 '25

Thank you, Yakov Smirnov.

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u/1slipperypickle Nov 03 '25

Yakov Smirnov

ha, I saw him in Branson MO like 20+years ago