Round 4: Tossup 6

A solid object will be destroyed by this phenomenon as it crosses a distance threshold of 1.26 times (15[1])radius times the cube root of a ratio of two densities. This phenomenon causes the appearance (15[1])of namesake “tails” in colliding galaxies. This phenomenon, whose strength is inversely proportional to distance cubed, causes internal friction that heats up Io’s volcanoes. (15[1])Objects are (15[1])disintegrated by this phenomenon within the (*) Roche limit. This phenomenon causes the Moon’s rotational and orbital periods to synchronize in its namesake (10[1])“locking.” This force is caused by gradients in the strength of gravity. For 10 points, what force drives a periodic rising and falling of sea level on Earth? ■END■

ANSWER: tidal force [or tidal forces; accept tides; accept tidal tails or tidal heating or tidal locking; prompt on gravitational force or gravity until "gravity" is read]
<Science - Physics, Aveek Sarkar> | VAULT II Packet 04
= Average correct buzzpoint

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