tidal forces

Tidal forces are the gravitational pull that a celestial body, like the Moon or the Sun, exerts on another object, such as Earth. These forces vary across the object’s surface because gravity weakens with distance. This difference in gravitational attraction causes the object’s shape to slightly stretch or deform. On Earth, tidal forces produce the ocean tides by pulling water toward the Moon, creating high tides, and away from certain areas, leading to low tides. Tidal forces also influence planetary shapes and internal activity, playing a crucial role in the dynamics of celestial systems.