Investigating the Solar System Unit 5

Front

What is a daily tide?

Back

A daily tide refers to the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun.

Front

What causes gravitational attraction in the context of tides?

Back

Gravitational attraction in the context of tides is primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide is a tide that occurs when the difference between high and low tide is least. Neap tides occur twice a month when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide is a tide that occurs when the difference between high and low tide is greatest. Spring tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in alignment.

Front

What is a tide?

Back

A tide is the periodic rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon, the Sun, and the rotation of the Earth.

Front

What is a low tide?

Back

A low tide is the state of the tide when at its lowest level.

Front

First Quarter Moon

Back

halfway between a new moon and full moon

Front

Full Moon

Back

the phase of the moon in which its whole disk is illuminated

Front

Lunar Cycle

Back

the approximately 29.5-day period for the Moon to go through all its phases (New Moon to Full Moon and back) as it orbits Earth, caused by the changing angles at which we see the Sun's light reflecting off the Moon's surface as the Moon, Earth, and Sun shift positions

Front

Rotation

Back

move in a circle on a central axis.