MAST382 Lecture 15: Class Notes 10/26 Tides
26 Oct 2016
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Total force at any point is a sum of gravitational forces and centrifugal force. Centers of earth and moon are a stable distance ( r) apart. The total force at center of earth=0. Force of gravity = -force of centrifugal force. Force of gravity for a small piece of earth ((cid:4667)can be calculated from newton"s law of gravitation using the mass of the moon (mm) w a constant for gravity (g) Simple earth-moon system earth"s surface directly under mooon. (cid:1832)= (cid:1833)2/(cid:2871) now closer to the moon by the earth"s radius (r ) But bc the earth is solid (cid:1832) is unchanged. Simple earth moon system earth"s surface directly opposite moon. For the moon and sun the same math works. The force of the moon is larger. Lunar and solar forces are not always aligned. Solar and lunar align is called spring tide (full and new moon)
