(Science) 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.)

Ftidal= 2Gmr/d3

Based on the equation and your knowledge of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, which celestial body (the Sun or the Moon) has a greater influence on Earth’s tides? Justify your answer.

Imagine you work as a consultant, and your daily job involves listening to the constructive criticism of others. as part of your job, you must listen to opposing viewpoints to make important decisions. in this activity, you are a consulting dam engineer. you must make a decision about four different dams; should they be repaired, taken down, or left alone? you will listen to contrasting opinions about what should be done with the dams before you make the final decision. as the consulting dam engineer, what do you decide to do with this dam? explain your reasoning. by making your decision, did you support the opinions of the mayor and/or the dam safety official? why or why not? (site 1)