Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains the Tides
StarTalk・12 minutes read
Tides are primarily caused by the gravitational forces of the sun and moon creating bulges of water on opposite sides of the Earth. The moon is responsible for two-thirds of tides, and the sun contributes the remaining one-third, with different phases affecting the height of tides.
Insights
- Tides are primarily caused by the gravitational forces of the sun and moon, with the moon responsible for two-thirds of tides and the sun contributing the remaining third.
- The moon's gravitational pull not only creates tides but also affects Earth's rotation, leading to the addition of leap seconds in timekeeping, showcasing the significant impact celestial bodies have on our daily lives.
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Recent questions
What causes tides on Earth?
Gravitational forces from the sun and moon.
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Summary
00:00
"Sun and moon create Earth's tides"
- Tides are caused by bulges of water on opposite sides of the Earth due to the sun and moon's gravitational forces.
- The water rises and falls as the Earth rotates into and out of these bulges.
- The moon is responsible for two-thirds of tides, while the sun contributes the remaining one-third.
- The tides raised by the moon on Earth remain consistent regardless of the moon's phase.
- Full moons coincide with higher tides due to the combined effects of the sun and moon.
- Neap tides occur when the sun and moon's gravitational forces cancel each other out, resulting in the lowest tides.
- The moon's gravitational pull causes the water to stretch along the line it is pulling, creating tides.
- The moon's tidal forces slow down the Earth's rotation, leading to leap seconds being added to our timekeeping.
- The moon's gravitational force across your skull is minimal compared to other forces, like a pillow's weight.
- Tides play a crucial role in phenomena like spaghettification near black holes, where tidal forces can rip objects apart.
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