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 the Earth.

Front

What causes tides?

Back

Tides are mainly caused by the moon's gravitational pull on the Earth.

Front

How many high and low tides do most places on Earth experience in 24 hours?

Back

Most places experience 2 high tides and 2 low tides in 24 hours.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide occurs when the moon is in the first or third quarter phase, 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

What is the difference between spring tides and neap tides?

Back

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

Front

What role does the sun play in tides?

Back

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

Front

What is the gravitational pull?

Back

Gravitational pull is the force that attracts two bodies towards each other, such as the moon pulling on the Earth's water.

Front

What is the cycle of tides?

Back

The cycle of tides includes two high tides and two low tides approximately every 24 hours.