Posted: Jan 02, 2015 3:30 pm
DavidMcC wrote:Veida wrote:Ah. I think I see where you went wrong. You seem to think that the weight difference due to tidal forces is a first order effect from gravitation.
It isn't. It is a second order effect, that is due to the gravitation from e.g. the sun not being uniform - it varies slightly in strength between dayside and nightside, and it varies slightly in direction between dawnside and duskside.
All first-order effects are cancelled out due to the Earth being in free fall.
"The sun isn't uniform"??
Here, let me help you.
(S)he said the gravitation from the sun is not uniform. And it isn't, it varies as a function of radial distance.
You're welcome.