Chapter 4, Problem 1VSC

To determine

The given figure shows how the Moon causes tides on Earth. Note that the North Pole is in the center of the diagram, so the numbers 1 through 4 label points along Earth’s equator.

What do the three black arrows represent?

A. The tidal force Earth exerts on the Moon.

B. The Moon’s gravitational force at different points on Earth.

C. The direction in which Earth’s water is flowing

D. Earth’s orbital motion

Answer to Problem 1VSC

Solution:

The attraction is Minimum at point 3 which feels least gravitational attraction. Hence option (B) is correct. Since in figure gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth which gives rise to tides and the North Pole is at the center in this diagram and the numbered points are along the circumference of the equator. The black arrows represent the gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth. The length of arrows denotes the strength of attraction. The arrow is longest at point 1, which is closest to the moon denoting that the attraction is Maximum there.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Visual information used in astronomy shows how the Moon causes tides on Earth. Here in diagram North Pole is in the center of the diagram, so the numbers 1 through 4 label points along Earth’s equator.

In the figure, Tides are created by the difference in the force of attraction between the Moon and different parts of Earth. The two daily high tides occur as a location on Earth rotates through the two tidal bulges. (The diagram greatly exaggerates the tidal bulges, which raise the oceans only about 2 meters and the land only about a centimeter.)

The figure shown above shows the gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth which is responsible for giving rise to tides. At the center in this diagram the North Pole is found and along the circumference of the equator, the numbered points are there. The gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth is represented by the black arrows. The strength of attraction is denoted by the length of arrows. The arrow is longest at point 1 and that is closest to the moon clearly denoting that the attraction is shown Maximum there. The attraction is Minimum at point 3 and thus feels least gravitational attraction. Hence option (B) is correct. The force exerted by the Moon on Earth denoted by the black arrows. Tidal force can be defined as the “stretching force which acts on a body due to the difference in gravitational attraction on its two opposite ends. Therefore, option (a) is clearly not correct.

The arrows are not denoting the direction flow of water. Hence, option (C) mentioned is also not correct. The black arrows are pointing in the direction of the moon. The orbital motion of Earth is also clearly not towards the Moon. Hence, option (D) is not correct.

Conclusion:

The gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth which gives rise to tides. The black arrows representing the gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth and length of arrows denotes the strength of attraction. Tidal force is defined as the stretching force that acts on a body due to the difference in gravitational attraction on its two opposite ends.