Tides - background

Question 1

What do tides do?

Answer 1

advance and recede

Question 2

tidal range

Answer 2

= high tide level - low tide level

Question 3

tides

Answer 3

generated by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon and the orbital motion of the earth

Question 4

Differential gravitational attraction

Answer 4

earth not a point mass and is large enough for the gravitational force to vary measurably from the near side to the far side

Question 5

Tide generating force

Answer 5

subtracting the force at the center of eath from the forces experienced at the other points gives a residual force

Question 6

effects of tide generating forces

Answer 6

tide generating produces 2 bulges:
-away from the moon on side of earth opposite moon
-toward moon on side of earth facing moon
earth rotates into and out of tidal bulges, creating high and low tides

Question 7

equilibrium theory of tides - assumptions

Answer 7

the ocean has uniform depth on a spherical earth
this ocean responds instantly to the gravitational forces of the sun and moon
planets are spherical, orbits are circular