PBS Space Time Season 2015 Episode 28 What Physics Teachers Get Wrong About Tides!
- August 5, 2015
PBS Space Time season 2015, episode 28 is titled "What Physics Teachers Get Wrong About Tides!" and delves into the fascinating world of tides. The episode seeks to answer the question of why the tides are caused by the moon's gravitational pull and why it doesn't cause catastrophic disasters on Earth.
The episode starts with the host, Matt O'Dowd, sharing his personal experience of learning about tides in school and how the topic was often thought of as confusing and poorly taught. He then proceeds to break down the topic in simple terms for viewers to easily understand.
The episode first explains the concept of gravity and how it is the force that keeps us grounded on Earth. It then goes on to explore how the moon's gravity also affects the Earth, causing the oceans to bulge out slightly towards it, creating high tides.
The episode highlights the common misconception that the moon's gravity only pulls the water towards it, causing high tides. In reality, the moon's gravity also pulls the Earth towards it, creating a sort of "centrifugal force" that causes a second bulge of water on the opposite side of the Earth, creating low tides.
The episode also explains how the sun's gravity also plays a role in creating tides, but to a much lesser extent than the moon. When the sun, moon, and Earth align, it results in the highest high tides and the lowest low tides, known as spring tides. When the sun and moon are at right angles to each other, it results in the lowest difference between high and low tides, known as neap tides.
The episode also touches on the topic of tidal friction, explaining how the Earth's rotation is slowing down due to the friction caused by the tidal bulges. It also addresses the myth that the tides are responsible for causing catastrophic disasters like tsunamis when in fact these natural phenomena are caused by other factors like earthquakes.
Overall, "What Physics Teachers Get Wrong About Tides!" is an insightful and engaging episode that demystifies the complex topic of tides while also dispelling common misconceptions. It makes for a fascinating watch for anyone curious about the workings of our planet and the cosmos around us.
