How does the position of the Moon affect gravitational pull and weight on Earth?

  • Thread starter Thread starter whoareyou
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravitation Moon
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of the Moon's position on gravitational pull and weight on Earth. Participants are examining how the Moon's gravitational influence changes as it moves from being directly overhead to being on the opposite side of the Earth, specifically focusing on the percent increase in the Moon's gravitational pull and the corresponding decrease in weight as measured on a scale.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the percent increase in the Moon's gravitational pull and the decrease in weight using Newton's gravitational equations. There is discussion about the application of free body diagrams and the assumptions made regarding the direction of gravitational forces from the Moon.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided calculations and insights into the problem, while others are questioning the assumptions made in the solution manual. There is a recognition of differing interpretations regarding the direction of the Moon's gravitational pull and its effects on weight, with some suggesting that the Moon always pulls "up," while others disagree and emphasize the complexity of the gravitational interactions involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the nuances of gravitational effects, including tidal forces and the relative positions of the Earth and Moon. There is an acknowledgment of potential inaccuracies in approximations and calculations, as well as the need for clarity in understanding how gravitational forces interact in different scenarios.

  • #31
So then all points on Earth are still non-inertial? So I'm guessing then our inertial frame is just somewhere in space?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
It can be somewhere in space or at barycentre between the Earth and Moon).

ehild
 
  • #33
Hold on, when we defined a_E in ehild's proof, it was due to the gravity of the moon. Doesn't the person also contribute to the Earth's acceleration?
 
  • #34
The mass of the man is very small with respect to the mass of the Earth. You can ignore its effect on Earth.

ehild
 

Similar threads

Where between the Moon and the Earth is the gravitational potential=0 ?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Calculating the Distance of a Zero Gravitational Field Between Earth and Moon
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Gravitational Energy of Earth<Moon (what distance)
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Universal Gravitation and/or Tidal Forces?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Universal Gravitation and/or Tidal Force
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
What force needed to launch an object from moon to Earth
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
How Does the Moon's Position Affect Its Gravitational Pull on You?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Universal Gravitation w/ Earth & Moon
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
How Does Apparent Weight Change for an Astronaut Near the Moon?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Gravitational pull with the earth and moon
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K