Question

Which of the following was not explained by Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation?

a.
The motions of the planets.


b.
The motions of Jupiter's moons.

c.
The motion of the fixed stars.


d.
The motions of the Moon.


e.
The motions of Earth's seas (i.e., the tides).

Answer 1

e. The motions of Earth's seas (i.e., the tides).

Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation explained the motions of celestial bodies, including the motions of the planets (option a), the motions of Jupiter's moons (option b), the motion of the fixed stars (option c), and the motions of the Moon (option d).

However, it did not fully explain the motions of Earth's seas (i.e., the tides), which are influenced by gravitational forces from both the Moon and the Sun. The tides are a more complex phenomenon that required further understanding beyond Newton's law of gravitation.

So, the correct answer is:

e. The motions of Earth's seas (i.e., the tides).