J
Jenny W
Guest
The difference in force per mass (N/kg) across a body, tidal force TF, is approximated by TF = 4GMR/d3, where G is the gravitational constant, M the mass of the body causing tides, R the radius of the body having tides, and d the center-to-center distance between the bodies. Make two calculations. For simplicity, let R for you be 0.7 m (pretend you're 1.4 m tall).
(a) Calculate the force TF the moon exerts on you. Let d to the moon be 3.8 multiplied by 108 m. Mass M of the moon is 7.4 multiplied by 1022 kg.
1 N/kg
(b) Calculate the force TF that a 1 kg melon 4 m above your head exerts on you. Let d to the melon be 4.7 m.
2 N/kg
(c) After you have made your calculations, compare them. Which is larger?
(a) Calculate the force TF the moon exerts on you. Let d to the moon be 3.8 multiplied by 108 m. Mass M of the moon is 7.4 multiplied by 1022 kg.
1 N/kg
(b) Calculate the force TF that a 1 kg melon 4 m above your head exerts on you. Let d to the melon be 4.7 m.
2 N/kg
(c) After you have made your calculations, compare them. Which is larger?