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  3. Tidal Forces
Astrophysics

Tidal Forces

Definition

Gravitational forces arising because gravitational pull varies across a body's extent. On Earth, the Moon and Sun cause ocean tides. Near black holes, extreme tidal forces stretch objects in spaghettification.

Related Terms

Moon Phases

The different appearances of the Moon over a synodic month (about 29.5 days). The eight phases are new moon, waxing cres...

Orbit

The curved path of a celestial object around a star, planet, or moon under gravity's influence. Orbits can be circular, ...

Black Hole

A region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape once past the event horizon. B...

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