Tides & Moon Distance: Seeking Answers

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    Moon Tides
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects on tides if the Moon were twice as far from the Earth as it currently is. Participants explore the implications of this scenario, focusing on theoretical aspects of tidal forces and gravitational effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that tides would reduce if the Moon were twice as far away, but the extent of this reduction is debated.
  • One participant emphasizes the need for a more meaningful explanation rather than a simple assertion that tides would reduce.
  • Another participant points out that tidal forces do not vary according to the inverse square of distance, challenging the initial assumptions about how distance affects tidal strength.
  • A participant references the Sun's tidal effects compared to the Moon's, noting that despite the Sun's greater mass and distance, its tidal influence is less than half that of the Moon, suggesting complexities in tidal dynamics.
  • There is a mention of the mathematical relationship involving the square of distance, but participants express uncertainty about its applicability to tidal forces.
  • One participant claims that the tide would reduce by half, presenting a simplified view of the relationship between distance and tidal effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how tides would be affected by the Moon's increased distance. There are competing views regarding the nature of tidal forces and their dependence on distance, leading to unresolved questions about the correct interpretation of the scenario.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding tidal dynamics, including the complexity of factors influencing tides and the potential misapplication of mathematical relationships such as the inverse square law.

kay89
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Please help me ya'll.

"If the moon was twice as far away from the Earth as it actually is, how would tides be effected?"

Any ideas/answers?

Thanks!
 
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Tides would reduce, I'm thinking.
 
vincentm said:
Tides would reduce, I'm thinking.

I think you're correct.

Kay, what sort of answer are you looking for? Will "they will reduce" suffice, or are you looking for more of an quantitative explanation?
 
Cristo, I am definitely looking for an answer that provides some meaning. This is part of a homework assignment and I am stumped!
 
kay89 said:
Cristo, I am definitely looking for an answer that provides some meaning. This is part of a homework assignment and I am stumped!

If its homework related we kindly request that you show your attempt at this question before receiving any help.
 
2 squared is = to 4
 
ray b said:
2 squared is = to 4
That's fine, but the tides do not vary with the square (or even the inverse square) of distance.
 
To help answer both the OP and explain my response to ray b, consider the Sun. The Sun is 27 million times more massive than is the Moon and is about 389 further times distant from the Earth than is the Moon. Yet the tidal forces caused by the Sun are slightly less than half those caused by the Moon.
 
a quick google shows gravity
along with a lot of other stuff works on inverse square
which is what the hint was aimed at
true that's for a point
and tides are complex with many factors
but that should be close to the correct answer
 
  • #10
ray b said:
a quick google shows gravity
along with a lot of other stuff works on inverse square
which is what the hint was aimed at
true that's for a point
and tides are complex with many factors
but that should be close to the correct answer

No. Try it for the sun.
 
  • #11
ray b said:
a quick google shows gravity
along with a lot of other stuff works on inverse square
which is what the hint was aimed at
true that's for a point
and tides are complex with many factors
but that should be close to the correct answer
Not anywhere close to the correct answer. Look at the numbers from my previous post: The Sun is 27 million times more massive than is the Moon and is about 389 further times distant from the Earth than is the Moon. If tidal effects were indeed an inverse square relationship, solar tides would be 178 times larger than lunar tides. This is not the case. Solar tides are less than half the size of lunar tides. Tidal effects are not an inverse square relationship.
 
  • #12


the tide would reduce by half, as it is twice the difference away :D
 

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