Which of the following would increase the effect of tides on Earth (high tides get higher, low tides get lower)
- slowing the rate of rotation of the Moon.
- increasing the rate of rotation of the Moon. ***
- decreasing the distance between the Earth around the Sun
- increasing the rate of revolution of the Earth around the sun
The rate of rotation of the moon about its axis, once per earth day, has no effect on the tides on earth.
Moving the moon orbit closer to earth would do it though.
Is there no choice called "none of the above"?
no there isn't. :/
Then I think this is a typo:
" decreasing the distance between the Earth around the Sun "
and it means distance between earth and moon
Yeah one is supposed to say "Decrease the distance between the Earth and the Moon" Which is the right one
To determine which of the options would increase the effect of tides on Earth, we need to understand the factors that influence tides. Tides occur due to the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun on the Earth's oceans.
The gravitational force from the Moon causes the tidal bulges on Earth as it pulls the water towards it. This creates two high tides and two low tides each day. The interaction between the Earth's rotation and the Moon's gravity causes the variation in tide levels.
Coming back to the options provided, let's consider each one and analyze its impact on tides:
1. Slowing the rate of rotation of the Moon: This would not significantly affect the tidal forces acting on Earth. The rate of rotation of the Moon doesn't specifically impact the tidal patterns.
2. Increasing the rate of rotation of the Moon: This option is likely to increase the effect of tides on Earth. If the Moon rotates faster, it would cause the tidal bulges to be more pronounced, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.
3. Decreasing the distance between the Earth and the Sun: The distance between the Earth and the Sun primarily affects the strength of solar tides, rather than lunar tides. It can impact the tides but not in a way that specifically increases the effect of tides on Earth as mentioned in the question.
4. Increasing the rate of revolution of the Earth around the Sun: The rate of revolution of Earth around the Sun is not directly related to the effect of tides. While it affects the length of a day and influences Earth's rotation, it does not have a direct impact on the tidal patterns.
Based on this analysis, the option that would increase the effect of tides on Earth, causing higher high tides and lower low tides, is increasing the rate of rotation of the Moon.