Tides

Front

What are tides?

Back

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

Front

What causes high and low tides?

Back

High tides occur when the gravitational pull of the moon is strongest on a particular area of the Earth, while low tides occur when the pull is weakest.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide is a tide that occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, resulting in the highest high tides and the lowest low tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide occurs when the moon is at a right angle to the Earth and sun, resulting in lower high tides and higher low 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 role of the moon in tides?

Back

The moon's gravitational pull is the primary force that causes tides on Earth, as it is closer to Earth than the sun.

Front

What is the difference between spring and neap tides?

Back

Spring tides occur when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, while neap tides occur when the moon is at a right angle to the Earth and sun.

Front

What phase of the moon is associated with spring tides?

Back

Spring tides are associated with the new moon and full moon phases.

Front

What phase of the moon is associated with neap tides?

Back

Neap tides are associated with the first quarter and last quarter phases of the moon.

Front

Why do tides vary in height?

Back

Tides vary in height due to the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun, as well as the shape of the coastline and ocean floor.