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

Front

What is a Neap Tide?

Back

A Neap Tide occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other, resulting in the smallest tidal range.

Front

What is a Spring Tide?

Back

A Spring Tide occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned, leading to the highest high tides and the lowest low tides.

Front

When do Spring Tides occur?

Back

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

Front

When do Neap Tides occur?

Back

Neap Tides occur during the first and third quarters of the moon.

Front

What is the tidal range?

Back

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

Front

What is the effect of the moon on tides?

Back

The moon's gravitational pull is the primary force that causes tides, creating bulges in the Earth's oceans.

Front

What is the effect of the sun on tides?

Back

The sun also affects tides, but its influence is less than that of the moon; it contributes to the tidal range during Spring and Neap Tides.

Front

What happens during a Neap Tide?

Back

During a Neap Tide, high tides are lower and low tides are higher than average, resulting in a smaller tidal range.