Earth's Tides

Front

What are tides?

Back

Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun.

Front

What causes tides?

Back

Tides are primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide is a tide that occurs during the new moon and full moon phases, resulting in the highest high tides and the lowest low tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide occurs during the first quarter and last quarter moon phases, resulting in the lowest high tides and the highest low tides.

Front

What is the difference between high tide and low tide?

Back

High tide is when the water level is at its highest point, while low tide is when the water level is at its lowest point.

Front

During which lunar phases do spring tides occur?

Back

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

Front

During which lunar phases do neap tides occur?

Back

Neap tides occur during the first quarter and last quarter moon phases.

Front

What is the role of gravity in tides?

Back

Gravity pulls the water towards the moon and the sun, creating bulges in the ocean that result in high tides.

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 effect of the sun on tides?

Back

The sun also exerts a gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans, but its effect is less than that of the moon.