The understanding of how tides work began to take shape when scientists proposed explanations for the regular rise and fall of sea levels, a phenomenon long observed by coastal communities.
According to historical accounts and scientific progress, a significant step in discovering the cause of tides was made in the early 17th century.
Early Scientific Suggestions
While people had observed tides for millennia, the scientific understanding of their underlying cause emerged much later.
- Johannes Kepler's Contribution: In 1609, the renowned astronomer Johannes Kepler made a crucial suggestion. He correctly suggested that the gravitation of the Moon causes the tides. Kepler's reasoning was based on existing knowledge and observations; he compared the Moon's gravitational pull to magnetic attraction, grounding his argument upon ancient observations and correlations that linked the Moon's cycles to tidal patterns. This was a pivotal moment, proposing a physical mechanism linked to a celestial body.
- Galileo Galilei's Work: Following Kepler's suggestion, other prominent scientists also engaged with the topic of tides. For instance, in 1616, Galileo Galilei wrote Discourse on the Tides, contributing to the ongoing scientific discussion about this natural phenomenon, although his theories about the cause were later found to be incorrect.
Key Figures and Contributions (Based on Reference)
| Year | Figure | Contribution | Basis / Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1609 | Johannes Kepler | Correctly suggested Moon's gravity causes tides | Ancient observations, correlations, analogy to magnetism |
| 1616 | Galileo Galilei | Wrote on tides | Discourse on the Tides |
Kepler's idea of lunar gravitation as the driving force behind tides laid the groundwork for later, more detailed scientific explanations, most notably Isaac Newton's universal law of gravitation, which provided a complete and accurate framework for understanding tidal forces. The "discovery" of how tides work is therefore a process involving observation, correlation, hypothesis, and eventually, a comprehensive physical theory.
Understanding the historical process:
- Humans first observed tides very early in history, noticing their regular pattern.
- They then began noting correlations, primarily with the phases and position of the Moon.
- Scientists like Kepler then developed hypotheses about the physical cause based on these correlations and emerging understanding of forces like gravity.
- Later work provided the detailed theoretical explanation.
Thus, the discovery of how tides happen, in terms of their cause, is attributed significantly to Kepler's suggestion based on observed connections between the Moon and tidal cycles.
