The Moon pulls Earth's near side harder than the far side — creating two tidal bulges, one on each side. Both originate from the gradient of gravity across Earth's diameter: F_tide ∝ 2GMR/d³ (falls as d³, not d²). The Sun contributes ~46% of the lunar tide. At new/full moon they add (spring tide), at quarter moon they partially cancel (neap tide). The Moon slowly recedes 3.8 cm/year due to tidal dissipation.
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