Tides

Front

What is a tide?

Back

A tide is the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun on the Earth.

Front

What causes high tides?

Back

High tides are caused by the bulge of water on the side of the Earth that is closest to the moon, as well as the bulge on the opposite side due to centrifugal force.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other, resulting in the lowest tidal range.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned, resulting in the highest tidal range.

Front

How often do tides occur?

Back

Tides typically occur twice a day, with two high tides and two low tides.

Front

What is the difference between high tide and low tide?

Back

High tide is the maximum level of the sea, while low tide is the minimum level of the sea.

Front

What phase of the moon is associated with spring tides?

Back

Spring tides occur during the new moon and full moon phases.

Front

What phase of the moon is associated with neap tides?

Back

Neap tides occur during the first and third quarter phases of the moon.

Front

What is the tidal range?

Back

The tidal range is the difference in height between high tide and low tide.

Front

What happens to the tides when the sun, Earth, and moon are in a straight line?

Back

When the sun, Earth, and moon are in a straight line, spring tides occur, leading to higher high tides and lower low tides.