Gravity & Tides Study Guide

What is the force of attraction between two objects?

Gravity

What is Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation?

Every object in the universe attracts every other object.

The force of gravity between two objects depends on two factors. What are they?

The masses of both objects and the distance between them.

A planet farther from the sun will have a (longer or shorter) year.

Longer.

A planet closer to the sun will have a (faster or slower) speed.

Faster.

What is an orbit?

A revolution around an object.

If mass is increased, what happens to gravity?

The force of gravity increases.

If mass is decreased, what happens to gravity?

The force of gravity decreases.

If the distance between two objects is increased, what happens to gravity?

The force of gravity decreases.

What would happen to the Earth if there were no gravity?

It would travel at a constant speed in a straight line.

What planet orbits the sun the fastest?

Mercury.

What planet has the longest orbit around the sun?

Neptune.

How many high tides are there in a day?

2.

How many low tides are there in a day?

2.

What causes the tides on Earth?

The gravity between the Earth and the moon.

Where are high tides located on Earth compared to the moon?

On the two places in a direct line with the moon.

Where are the low tides located on Earth compared to the moon?

On the two places at a 90 degree angle from the moon.

What is a spring tide?

The highest high tide, caused by the sun, earth and moon being in a straight line.

What is a neap tide?

The lowest high tide, caused by the sun, earth and moon being at a right angle.

What type of high tide occurs during a full moon?

Spring tide.

What type of high tide occurs during a quarter moon?

Neap tide.

What type of high tide occurs during a new moon?

Spring tide.

How does the sun influence the high tides?

When it's in a straight line with the earth and moon, it makes the high tides higher because the gravity adds to the moon’s gravity.