|
Division of Leisure Unlimited Inc. |
|||
|
Physics 131 Physics between the Moon and Earth Proof That the Earth Orbits the Moon. In my physics class I thought I would try something different. My abilities to do the math were a little short of what I needed for the best grade but my understanding of the basic concept was great. We were learning about the tidal bulges of the earth. We all understood the bulge on the side of the moon but puzzled with the one opposite of the moon. In thinking about this I saw that if I could prove how it worked I might be able to get some extra credit. I got the extra credit and proved that the earth orbits the moon. I explained it as follows. In hope of gaining extra credit, I would like to explain the tidal bulges caused by the moon. As two masses are pulled together such as the moon and the Earth, there are things to consider in thinking about their gravitational forces. All masses pull together everywhere at the same time. Some show noticeable effects and others are less to insignificant. In the case of the earth and the moon, they both orbit the sun equally. For example, the Earth and the moon orbit as one mass but at the same time orbit each other. It is said that the moon orbits the Earth but in the case of the tidal bulge opposite the moon, there is other evidence. This shows that the Earth does not orbit the sun in a perfect circle nor does it travel in an ellipse. Though there is a circular path to its orbit, it is more like a wobble or a cork screw pattern. I understand that this theory is out of the normal concept in which we have learned. If two masses rotate around each other and they each have the same mass then it would be clear to see that they both orbit each other. Two objects rotate about the center of their mass. Now lets take some mass away from one and add it to the other. They still orbit each other but one has a longer path. This is like the Earth and the moon. Now lets let these two masses orbit the sun while orbiting each other and we have the relationship between the Earth, moon, and the sun. Let's consider the tidal bulge opposite of the moon. The Earth is in a centripetal force about the moon. The moon’s gravity is not strong enough to hold the water close to the surface and an outside bulge is formed. The Earth is orbiting the moon and the water has a centripetal force about the Earth. The moon being on the opposite side has a gravitational force through the Earth but the effect is not strong enough to keep the water from bulging. As for the side of Earth facing the moon, the moon’s gravity counteracts the earth’s gravity releasing the gravitational effect on the water causing a bulge. To summarize this, the bulge on the side of the moon is caused by the release of gravity and the bulge opposite of the moon is caused by the centripetal force of earth orbiting the moon. Other masses affect the tides but the affects are not great and in most cases, they are insignificant. It is said that the moon orbits the Earth. If they orbit each other we could equally say that the Earth orbit’s the moon. Warren Yates 12/1/99 Physics between the Moon and Earth That was the way that my report read. It is easier to understand this if we think of a water balloon on a string. Swing it around and the water will swell out on the outside. That is like the tidal bulge. The Earth is doing the same thing, just not as much as the moon. I used the word “centripetal” in my report. It means inner seeking. According to Newton’s law, centrifugal (outer seeking) force does not exist. An object in motion tends to stay in motion (straight) unless acted on by an outside force. You see, the water on the outside is trying to go straight while the Earth is traveling in a circle. If the gravity of the Earth were to release but the Earth still moved in a circle, the ocean on the outside would go straight out into space. There is more to consider but that is the big picture.
Physics between the Moon and Earth |
|||
