Ocean Tides Flashcard

Front

What celestial body has the strongest influence on ocean tides?

Back

The Moon's Gravity.

Front

What is the term for the flow of water as the tide rises or falls?

Back

Tidal current.

Front

What do we call a high tide that occurs on the opposite side of the Earth from the Moon?

Back

Antipodal.

Front

What is the tidal current called when the tide is moving away from the ocean and towards the shore?

Back

Ebb current.

Front

What is the term for the tidal current that occurs exactly at high tide or low tide?

Back

Slack water.

Front

What is the effect of the Sun on ocean tides compared to the Moon?

Back

The Sun also influences tides, but its effect is less than that of the Moon due to its greater distance from Earth.

Front

What is the difference between spring tides and neap tides?

Back

Spring tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides. Neap tides occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

Front

What is the term for the vertical difference between high tide and low tide?

Back

Tidal range.

Front

How often do most coastal areas experience high and low tides?

Back

Most coastal areas experience two high tides and two low tides each lunar day.

Front

What is the role of the Coriolis effect in ocean currents?

Back

The Coriolis effect causes moving water to turn and twist, influencing the direction of ocean currents.