How does the force of gravity cause tidal coupling between celestial objects?
The relation between the tidal coupling and the force of gravity between celestial objects.
Answer to Problem 1RQ
The force of gravity between the celestial objects raises tidal bulges on the objects. The rotations of the objects relative to each other slow down due to the friction between the tidal bulges until they locked to each other.
Explanation of Solution
Tidal coupling is a phenomenon in which the rotation of an object is locked to another object. The orbiting object always has the same face towards the object, around which it is orbiting.
The force of gravity between the celestial objects raises tidal bulges on the objects. The rotations of the objects relative to each other slow down due to the friction between the tidal bulges until they locked to each other.
Earth-Moon system is an example of tidal coupling. The friction between the tidal bulges produced by the gravitational force between the Earth and the Moon slows down the moon until now it rotates once each orbit. This is the reason for the Moon facing the same side of Earth always.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 21 Solutions
Bundle: Foundations of Astronomy, Enhanced, Loose-Leaf Version, 13th + MindTap Astronomy, 2 terms (12 months) Printed Access Card
- Why was the nebular hypothesis never fully accepted by astronomers of the day?arrow_forwardAccording to the solar nebula theory, why is there a common direction of revolution and rotation for most objects in the Solar System?arrow_forwardcalculate the angular size of a Jupiter-sized planet that is located in a star system 5 light years away from us (express your answer in arcseconds)arrow_forward
- According to the nebular theory, which planet is most likely to be gaseous rather than rocky?arrow_forwardWhich planets axis of rotation is a peculiarity, and why?arrow_forwardA friend of yours who has not taken astronomy sees a meteor shower (she calls it a bunch of shooting stars). The next day she confides in you that she was concerned that the stars in the Big Dipper (her favorite star pattern) might be the next ones to go. How would you put her mind at ease?arrow_forward
- According to the solar nebula theory, why is Earths orbit nearly in the plane of the Suns equator?arrow_forwardDo all planetary systems look the same as our own?arrow_forwardWhich would have the longer orbital period: a moon 1 million km from the center of Jupiter, or a moon 1 million km from the center of Earth? Why?arrow_forward
- Earth orbits 1 AU from the Sun, and the Oort cloud extends from about 10,000 to 100,000 AU from the Sun. If you represent Earths orbit around the Sun with a paper plate 4 inches in radius, how far away will the inner edge of the Oort Cloud be? The outer edge? Express your answers in miles.arrow_forwardWhat is understood to be the cause of ripples in ring systems?arrow_forwardVenus’s average distance from the Sun is 0.72 AU and Saturn’s is 9.54 AU. Calculate the circular orbital velocity of Venus and Saturn around the Sun. (Notes: The mass of the Sun is 1.991030 kg. An AU is 1.501011 m.)arrow_forward
- Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399920Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage LearningStars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399944Author:Michael A. SeedsPublisher:Cengage Learning
- An Introduction to Physical SciencePhysicsISBN:9781305079137Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar TorresPublisher:Cengage LearningAstronomyPhysicsISBN:9781938168284Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. WolffPublisher:OpenStax