Ocean Tides

Front

What are ocean tides?

Back

Ocean tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun on Earth.

Front

What causes spring tides?

Back

Spring tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Front

What causes neap tides?

Back

Neap tides occur when the Moon is at a right angle to the Earth-Sun line, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

Front

Why does the Moon have a greater effect on Earth's tides than the Sun?

Back

The Moon has a greater effect because it is much closer to Earth, despite being smaller than the Sun.

Front

What is the gravitational pull?

Back

Gravitational pull is the force that attracts two bodies towards each other, which in the case of tides, is primarily exerted by the Moon and the Sun.

Front

What is a tidal cycle?

Back

A tidal cycle refers to the regular pattern of high and low tides that occur approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes.

Front

What is the difference between high tide and low tide?

Back

High tide is the maximum level of the sea during a tidal cycle, while low tide is the minimum level.

Front

What is the role of the Sun in ocean tides?

Back

The Sun also exerts gravitational force on Earth, contributing to the tides, but its effect is less than that of the Moon due to its greater distance.

Front

What is a tidal range?

Back

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

Front

What is a tidal bore?

Back

A tidal bore is a phenomenon where the incoming tide forms a wave that travels up a river or narrow bay against the current.