The Tidal Force

Tidal force is the result of the gravitational pull exerted by a celestial body, like the Moon or Sun, on another object, such as Earth. Because gravity varies with distance, the side of Earth closer to the Moon experiences a stronger pull than the far side. This difference causes stretching effects called tides, leading to the rising and falling of sea levels. Tidal forces are subtle but have significant effects over time, influencing ocean currents, Earth's rotation, and even the internal geology of planets and moons.