The Theory of Bodily Tides. The Models and the Physics

TL;DR

This paper explores how the dependence of the geometric lag on tidal frequency, influenced by planetary rheology, affects tidal models and timescales, emphasizing the importance of realistic Q-factor dependence.

Contribution

It establishes a link between the frequency dependence of the tidal quality factor Q and the geometric lag, improving tidal modeling accuracy.

Findings

Realistic Q dependence significantly alters tidal timescales.

Different assumptions about lag angle impact tidal evolution predictions.

Frequency dependence of Q is crucial for accurate tidal modeling.

Abstract

Description of tides is based on the form of dependence of the geometric lag on the tidal frequency. Some authors assume the lag angle to be constant, others set it to be linear in the frequency. The actual dependence of the lag on the frequency is complicated and is determined by the planet's rheology. A particular form of this dependence will fix the form of the frequency dependence of the tidal quality factor Q. Since at present we know the frequency-dependence of the quality factor, we can reverse our line of reasoning and obtain the appropriate frequency-dependence of the lag. Employment of a realistic frequency-dependence for Q renders considerable changes in timescales defined by tidal dynamics.