Untitled Flashcards Set

Tidal forces are caused by gravity.

The Earth is pulled more by the tidal forces of the moon on the side closest to the moon.  The tidal force stretches the planet, and especially the water in the ocean, toward the moon.  

Tidal forces are not limited to water.  Jupiter's moon Io experiences tidal forces in its mantle.  These tidal forces heat the mantle and cause Io to have volcanoes and quakes.

A barycenter is the point around which two large object orbit or revolve.  This can be inside or outside an object.  Of objects that are the same size, the barycenter is between the two objects.  Of objects of vastly different sizes (like the sun-earth system or the earth-moon system), the barycenter is within the larger object.  The larger object does move around the barycenter in a small circle.

Tidal locking occurs when tidal forces cause one side of an object to stay facing the source of gravity at all times.  The moon is tidally locked to the Earth.  The moon keeps one face toward the Earth at all times.