The difference in force per mass (N/kg) across a body, tidal force T, is approxi

Question

The difference in force per mass (N/kg) across a body, tidal force T, is approximated by T = 4GMR/d^3, 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

(a) T that the Moon exerts on you_______

(b) T that a 1-kg melon 1 m above your head exerts on you.____________

For simplicity, let R for you be 1 m (pretend you're 2 m tall). Let d to the Moon be 3.8e8 m and to the melon be 2 m. Mass M of the Moon is 7.3e22 kg. Compare which is larger, and share this information with any friends who say that the tidal forces of planets on people influence their lives

Explanation / Answer

T = 4GMR/d^3 = 4*6.67x10^-11 *7.3 *10^22 *1/(3.8e8 m)^3

=4*6.67*7.3/(3.8)^3 *10^-11*10^22/10^24

=3.55 x10^-13 N/kg

For melon

4*6.67x10^-11 *1 *1/8 =3.34 x10^-11

the tidal force from melon is about 2 order of magnitude larger than that from the moon. So it is unlikely the tidal force from the moon will affect the human lives

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