Tidal forces Definition and 52 Threads

Why are tidal forces inversely proportional to the cube of the distance, and not to the square, as normal gravity force? Where can I find more ifo about this? Thanks in advance.

Many websites claim that someone falling into a black hole would be ripped apart by tidal forces as he crosses the event horizon. Others say that the falling observer feels nothing special as he crosses the event horizon - he doesn't get torn apart by tidal forces until he gets close to the...