Gravity and Ocean Tides

Front

What is gravity?

Back

Gravity is the force that attracts two bodies towards each other, influencing the motion of objects, including the ocean tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Front

What causes ocean tides?

Back

Ocean tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's ocean waters.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Front

What is a tidal range?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Front

How does the moon affect tides?

Back

The moon's gravitational pull creates bulges in the ocean, leading to high tides on the side of Earth facing the moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Front

What role does the sun play in ocean tides?

Back

The sun's gravitational pull also affects tides, but its influence is less than that of the moon.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide is a tide with the greatest difference between high and low water, occurring during full and new moons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide is a tide with the least difference between high and low water, occurring during the first and third quarters of the moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the relationship between gravitational pull and tidal range?

Back

The stronger the gravitational pull, the larger the tidal range.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What factors influence the strength of tides?

Back

The strength of tides is influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, the alignment of Earth, the moon, and the sun, and the shape of the coastline.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Front

What happens during a full moon?

Back

During a full moon, the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides (spring tides).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1