(Science) Isaac Newton’s universal law of gravitation is an expansion of the planetary motion ideas developed by Johannes Kepler. One derivative of Newton’s universal law gives us a useful formula to find tidal forces on Earth caused by either the Sun or Moon. The tidal force depends on the mass m of the Sun or Moon, the radius r of Earth, and the cube of the distance d between Earth and either the Sun or Moon. (The G in the equation is known as the gravitational constant, and it doesn’t change.)

Ftidal= 2Gmr/d3

Based on the equation and your knowledge of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, which celestial body (the Sun or the Moon) has a greater influence on Earth’s tides? Justify your answer.