Tidal force

Definition

Tidal force is the differential gravitational force exerted by one body on different parts of another body, leading to stretching and compression. It is responsible for phenomena such as ocean tides on Earth due to the Moon and Sun's gravitational pull.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tidal forces arise because the strength of gravity decreases with distance.
2. The side of Earth closest to the Moon experiences a stronger gravitational pull, causing high tides.
3. Tidal forces can lead to tidal locking, where one body always shows the same face to another, like Earth's Moon.
4. Tidal heating occurs when tidal forces cause internal friction and heating within a celestial body, such as Io's volcanic activity due to Jupiter's gravity.
5. Tidal ranges are influenced by both the relative positions and distances of the celestial bodies involved.

Review Questions

• What causes tidal forces and how do they affect celestial bodies?
• Explain how tidal locking occurs using an example from our solar system.
• Describe the relationship between tidal forces and tidal heating.

Related terms

Gravitational Force:

The attractive force between two masses, proportional to their product and inversely proportional to the square of their separation distance.

Tidal Locking:

A situation in which an astronomical body's rotational period matches its orbital period around a partner, causing one hemisphere to perpetually face the partner.

Tidal Heating:

Internal heating within a celestial body caused by friction due to varying tidal forces as it orbits another body.