Foundations of Astronomy
13th Edition
ISBN: 9781305079151
Author: Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Textbook Question
Chapter 21, Problem 1RQ
How does the force of gravity cause tidal coupling between celestial objects?
Expert Solution & Answer
To determine
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.
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Chapter 21 Solutions
Foundations of Astronomy
Ch. 21 - How does the force of gravity cause tidal coupling...Ch. 21 - As viewed from Earth, how many times does the Moon...Ch. 21 - If the Moon is tidally coupled to Earth, is Earth...Ch. 21 - How can you determine the relative ages of the...Ch. 21 - From looking at images of the Moons near side, how...Ch. 21 - Why did the first Apollo missions land on the...Ch. 21 - Why do planetary scientists hypothesize that the...Ch. 21 - Prob. 8RQCh. 21 - Prob. 9RQCh. 21 - Prob. 10RQ
Ch. 21 - What is the most significant kind of erosion that...Ch. 21 - Provide evidence to support a hypothesis about...Ch. 21 - What evidence can you cite that the Moon had...Ch. 21 - What evidence would you expect to find on the Moon...Ch. 21 - How does the large-impact hypothesis explain the...Ch. 21 - Look at the Celestial Profiles for Earth, the...Ch. 21 - Look at the Celestial Profiles for the Moon and...Ch. 21 - Prob. 18RQCh. 21 - Look at the Celestial Profiles for Earth, the...Ch. 21 - Look at the Celestial Profiles for the Moon and...Ch. 21 - Why are features like the Moons maria not observed...Ch. 21 - What are the relative ages of the intercrater...Ch. 21 - What evidence can you give that Mercury has a...Ch. 21 - Why is it not surprising that there is no evidence...Ch. 21 - What evidence can you give that Mercury had...Ch. 21 - How are the histories of the Moon and Mercury...Ch. 21 - What property of the Moon and Mercury has resulted...Ch. 21 - Prob. 28RQCh. 21 - Prob. 1DQCh. 21 - Prob. 2DQCh. 21 - Prob. 3DQCh. 21 - Prob. 4DQCh. 21 - Look at the right top and bottom images in Figure...Ch. 21 - Calculate the escape velocity of the Moon from its...Ch. 21 - Prob. 3PCh. 21 - Why do small planets cool faster than large...Ch. 21 - The smallest detail visible through Earth-based...Ch. 21 - Prob. 6PCh. 21 - The trenches where Earths seafloor slips downward...Ch. 21 - An Apollo command module orbited the Moon about...Ch. 21 - Prob. 9PCh. 21 - What is the angular diameter of Mercury when it is...Ch. 21 - If you transmit radio signals to Mercury when...Ch. 21 - What is the wavelength of the most intense...Ch. 21 - Suppose you send a probe to land on Mercury, and...Ch. 21 - The smallest detail visible through Earth-based...Ch. 21 - Look at the image of the astronaut on the Moon at...Ch. 21 - Examine the shape of the horizon at the Apollo 17...Ch. 21 - In the photo shown here, astronaut Alan Bean works...
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