Why does the moon effect tides more than the sun?

Subject: Why does the moon effect tides more than the sun?

Date: Fri Mar 1 07:23:23 2002
Posted by Jack
Grade level: 10-12 School: Waterford High School
City: Waterford State/Province: CT Country: USA
Area of science: Earth Sciences
ID: 1014985403.Es

Message:


Using Newton's 'Law of Gravity' F = GMm/r^2 to find the force on a kg of 
earth's water, the sun actually exerts more force.  Why then does the moon have 
a greater effect? Mass sun = 1.98X10^30 kg           Mass moon = 7.34X10^22 kg
           Distance to sun = 1.49X10^11 m     Distance to moon = 3.80X10^8 m

Re: Why does the moon effect tides more than the sun?

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