TIDES

Front

What are tides?

Back

Tides are 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 tides?

Back

Tides are caused by the difference in the gravitational force of the Sun and Moon across the Earth.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide is a tide that occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are aligned in a straight line, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide is a tide that occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun form a right angle, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

Front

How often do spring and neap tides occur?

Back

Spring and neap tides occur approximately every two weeks, with spring tides occurring during the full moon and new moon, and neap tides occurring during the first and third quarters of the moon.

Front

What is the effect of a full moon on tides?

Back

A full moon causes higher tides due to the alignment of the Moon with the Sun and Earth.

Front

What is the effect of a new moon on tides?

Back

A new moon also causes higher tides, similar to a full moon, due to the alignment of the Moon with the Sun and Earth.

Front

What happens to the gravitational forces during neap tides?

Back

During neap tides, the gravitational effects of the Sun and Moon do not add together, resulting in less extreme tides.

Front

What is the role of the Moon in tidal changes?

Back

The Moon has a significant role in tidal changes due to its gravitational pull, which creates bulges in the Earth's oceans.

Front

What is the role of the Sun in tidal changes?

Back

The Sun also affects tides, but its influence is less than that of the Moon; however, it can enhance or diminish tidal effects depending on its position.