2007-12-02 06:39:55 · 3 answers · asked by natashasexcangel 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Think about it. Everything that has mass has a gravitational field constant. The earth is larger (by mass) and pulls on the moon and keeps it in orbit of the earth. At the same time the moon is pulling at the earth. The earth has a larger mass so it is not effected by the pull of the moon; however the ocean is effected by the gravitational pull of the moon. Thus, the ocean moves towards the moon, but because the earth rotates the oceans are being pulled in different directions. This causes what we call a tide.
2007-12-02 06:47:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Gravity follows the inverse square law which simply means if you double the distance then you have 1/4 the force. Since the Earth is 8,000 miles or so across, the gravity is higher at the closest point, average at the center, and less at the far point (8,000 miles farther away than the closest point). This causes the oceans to bulge on both sides of the planet and Earth rotates through these bulges. That is why there are two high tides and two low tides day (just about).
2007-12-02 07:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gravitational pull of the moon in orbit affects the way the ocean's water goes hence we have tides.
2007-12-02 06:43:21 · answer #3 · answered by $Sun King$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋