Can Sun's Gravity Alter Earth's Landscape Over Billions of Years?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the influence of the Sun's gravity on Earth's landscape over billions of years. It concludes that while the Sun's tidal forces can affect the Earth, they are insufficient to alter the planet's surface significantly in the long term. The concept of tidal locking is introduced, indicating that while the Earth could theoretically become tidally locked to the Sun, this process would take an extensive period. Additionally, the discussion emphasizes that Earth's gravitational force is dominant over any tidal forces exerted by the Sun, making substantial landscape changes unlikely.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational forces and their effects on planetary bodies
  • Familiarity with the concept of tidal locking in celestial mechanics
  • Basic knowledge of Earth's geological processes and surface dynamics
  • Awareness of orbital mechanics and freefall conditions in space
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanics of tidal locking and its implications for planetary bodies
  • Explore the effects of gravitational forces on geological processes over geological time scales
  • Investigate the concept of freefall and its relevance to celestial bodies in orbit
  • Examine case studies of other celestial bodies that have undergone significant surface changes due to gravitational influences
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Astronomers, planetary scientists, geologists, and anyone interested in the long-term effects of gravitational forces on planetary landscapes.

us40
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Hello,
My question is regarding effect of sun's gravity on earth. I want to know that if sun's gravity can change Earth's landscape in long duration (i.e. billion of years ) or not?? Means if Earth is dead planet and all other planets are not present in the solar system and Earth is as near as sun as mercury currently orbiting. And also suppose Earth's surface is not smooth (because of hitting with other small bodies at regular interval) then can Earth's surface can be smooth in long duration by gravity of sun or not??
 
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Google for "tidal lock", see what you find. That's by far the most prominent tidal effect in planetary motion. Earth has tidal-locked the moon and in principle the sun could tidal lock the Earth if we were to wait long enough.

Two exercises you might find worthwhile:
1) estimate how long "long enough" in the previous sentence is.
2) consider a lump of rock one kilometer across, sitting on the surface of the Earth (that's sometimes called a "mountain":smile:). Roughly, what is the magnitude of the Earth's gravitational force on it? How does it compare with the the tidal forces from the sun?
 
Bit of a mismatch of separate thoughts here:
us40 said:
My question is regarding effect of sun's gravity on earth. I want to know that if sun's gravity can change Earth's landscape in long duration (i.e. billion of years ) or not??
Beyond the tides, no -- all of the Earth is in orbit, so it is all in freefall around the sun, feeling no force.
Means if Earth is dead planet and all other planets are not present in the solar system and Earth is as near as sun as mercury currently orbiting.
Not sure if I follow - what do you mean by that? If Earth were where Mercury is, it would be hot.
And also suppose Earth's surface is not smooth (because of hitting with other small bodies at regular interval) then can Earth's surface can be smooth in long duration by gravity of sun or not??
Earth is smoother than a bowling ball. Generally, the more gravity, the better it can pull itself back into a spheroid.
 

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