Question

If you compare the gravitational force on the Earth due to Sun to that due to the moon, you would find that the Sun's pull is greater than the moon's pull. (You can check this yourself using the data available in the succeeding exercises). However, the tidal effect of the moon's pull is greater than the tidal effect of Sun. Why?

Answer 1

Tidal effect ∝ (1)/(distance)³ whereas gravitational force ∝ (1)/(distance)²

Although sun's pull is more than moon, yet tidal effect due to moon is more because moon is nearer to the earth.