Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 74.djvu/529

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 1. The diagram shows the magnitude and direction of the tidal forces at each half lunar hour for various north latitudes. Such a force is represented by a line drawn from the center to the periphery of the ellipse having a given latitude. At the equator the mean value of the semi-diurnal force at 9 or 3 o'clock is equal to one thirteen-millionth part of the force of gravity at the earth's surface. The diurnal forces shown in the figure are those occurring upon the day when the moon's declination is greatest either north or south.