AST-1A Lecture Notes - Lecture 32: Momentum, Semi-Major And Semi-Minor Axes, Orbital Period
Document Summary
Much smaller than the moon: a spring tide is the greatest difference between high and low tide during a given day. These tides occur about twice a month when the lunar and solar tides correspond: spring tides occur when the sun, moon, and earth are all located in a line (syzygy). They only occur at new or full moon: neap tide- smallest difference between high and low tide. Solar tide cancels lunar: the moon"s period of rotation is exactly equal to its orbital period about the. This is due to the gravitational tidal forces of the earth acting upon the moon. The moon always keeps one face towards the earth: tidal friction- torque which results from the tidal pull of the moon on the rotating earth. This has slowed the earth"s rate of rotation of many years: the earth is not perfect sphere. This is due to centrifugal force of the rotating earth.
