Part A Isaac Newton's universal law of gravitation is an expansion of the planetary motion ideas developed by
Johannes Kepler. One derivative of Newton's universal law gives us a useful formula to find tidal forces on
Earth caused by either the Sun or Moon. The tidal force depends on the mass m of the Sun or Moon, the
radius r of Earth, and the cube of the distance d between Earth and either the Sun or Moon. (The G in the
equation is known as the gravitational constant, and it doesn't change.)
Fsdal =
Based on the equation and your knowledge of the Sun-Earth-Moon system e, which celestial body (the
Sun or the Moon) has a greater influence on Earth's tides? Justify your answer.