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

How many high tides does a place have each day?

Back

Most places experience 2 high tides each day.

Front

What causes tides?

Back

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

Front

What is a tidal bulge?

Back

A tidal bulge is the increase in sea level on the side of the Earth facing the moon, and a corresponding bulge on the opposite side.

Front

What is the difference between spring and neap tides?

Back

Spring tides occur when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides. Neap tides occur when the moon is at a right angle to the sun, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

Front

When do spring tides occur?

Back

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

Front

When do neap tides occur?

Back

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

Front

What type of tide occurs at 9:30 a.m. if it is a high tide?

Back

If it is a high tide at 9:30 a.m., it means the water level is at its highest point.

Front

What is the effect of the sun on tides?

Back

The sun also exerts a gravitational pull on the Earth's oceans, but its effect is less than that of the moon, contributing to the variation in tide heights.

Front

What is a tidal cycle?

Back

A tidal cycle refers to the pattern of high and low tides that occur approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes.