How would the Earth's tide be affected if the moon was further away?
Explain why the heights of the tide vary throughout the year.
If the moon were further away from the Earth, the Earth's tide would be significantly weaker. The moon's gravitational pull is responsible for creating the tides on Earth. The closer the moon is to the Earth, the stronger its gravitational force, which leads to larger tides. If the moon were further away, its gravitational force on Earth would decrease, resulting in smaller tides.
The heights of the tides vary throughout the year due to the combined effects of the moon's position and the tilt of the Earth's axis. When the moon is in alignment with the Sun and Earth during a new moon or full moon, the gravitational pull is stronger, leading to higher tides known as spring tides. On the other hand, when the moon is at a right angle to the Sun and Earth during a first or third quarter moon, the gravitational pull is weaker, resulting in lower tides known as neap tides.
Furthermore, the tilt of the Earth's axis affects the annual variation in tides. During the summer and winter solstices, when the Earth's axis is most tilted towards or away from the Sun, the tidal range tends to be larger. This is because the tilt causes the Sun's gravitational pull to have a greater effect on the tides. In contrast, during the equinoxes in spring and autumn when the axis is least tilted, the tidal range tends to be smaller.