- #1
Eagle9
- 238
- 10
Here we have got a very long rod (100 million km length or so) built/placed on the lunar surface (near equator) and directed towards the Sun (imagine that Moon is in synchronous rotation with Sun and therefore that point (where this rod is built) is always looking at the Sun). The distance between these two celestial bodies is equal to 150 million km, so the rod covers two thirds of this distance.
I would like to know-will the Sun’s gravity destroy this rod? Rod’s closest point (relative to the sun) is 3 times closer than the points on the Moon, so the Sun will attract this end 9 times more than other end (according to Newton's law of universal gravitation its value is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them)….so, what will happen? Will the Sun’s gravity be able to break the rod and attract broken piece(s)? Will the rod withstand Sun’s tidal forces? We know rod’s length, width, mass and all kind of property of the material that was used for manufacturing the rod (its specific strength for example), then what? :shy:
I would like to know-will the Sun’s gravity destroy this rod? Rod’s closest point (relative to the sun) is 3 times closer than the points on the Moon, so the Sun will attract this end 9 times more than other end (according to Newton's law of universal gravitation its value is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them)….so, what will happen? Will the Sun’s gravity be able to break the rod and attract broken piece(s)? Will the rod withstand Sun’s tidal forces? We know rod’s length, width, mass and all kind of property of the material that was used for manufacturing the rod (its specific strength for example), then what? :shy: