Tides

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Tides Noun

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[tydz]

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Tides

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The daily rise and fall of ocean water levels, primarily caused by the Moon's gravitational pull on the Earth.

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Example: The Moon's gravity pulls on Earth's oceans, creating bulges of water called high tides on the sides closest to and farthest from the Moon.

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Gravitational Force Noun

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[grav-i-tey-shuh-nl fawrs]

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Gravitational Force

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The mutual force of attraction between two objects, which depends on their masses and the distance between them.

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Example: The gravitational force between the Earth and the Moon pulls them toward each other. This mutual attraction is the primary force that causes ocean tides.

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Tidal Bulge Noun

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[ty-dl buhlj]

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Tidal Bulge

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A raised area of water on the side of Earth facing the Moon and on the opposite side, caused by gravity.

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Example: The Moon's gravity pulls on Earth's oceans, creating two bulges of water on opposite sides of the planet, which we experience as high tides.

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High Tide Noun

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[hy tyd]

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High Tide

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The state of the tide when the water level is at its highest point, occurring within the Earth's tidal bulges.

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Example: The Moon's gravity pulls on Earth's oceans, creating a bulge of water on the side closest to it and on the opposite side, resulting in high tides.

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Low Tide Noun

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[loh tyd]

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Low Tide

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The state of the tide when the water level is at its lowest point, occurring between the two tidal bulges.

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Example: This diagram shows that the Moon's gravitational pull creates two high tides on Earth, leaving areas of lower water level, or low tides, in between.

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Lithosphere Noun

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[lith-uh-sfeer]

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Lithosphere

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The rigid, solid outer part of the Earth that is less affected by tidal forces compared to the fluid oceans.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth, identifying the lithosphere as the rigid outer layer composed of the crust and uppermost solid mantle.

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Tidal Range Noun

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[ty-dl reynj]

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Tidal Range

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The vertical difference in height between the water level at high tide and the water level at the subsequent low tide.

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Example: This diagram shows that the tidal range is the vertical difference in height between the water level at high tide and the water level at low tide.

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Spring Tides Noun

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[spring tydz]

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Spring Tides

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Tides with the greatest tidal range, occurring when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are aligned in a straight line.

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Example: This diagram shows that when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned (during a new or full moon), their combined gravity creates extra-high spring tides.

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Neap Tides Noun

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[neep tydz]

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Neap Tides

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Tides with the smallest tidal range, occurring when the Sun and Moon are at a 90-degree angle to Earth.

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Example: This diagram shows that during a neap tide, the Sun and Moon are at a right angle to the Earth, causing their gravitational pulls to partially cancel each other out.

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Mass Noun

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[mas]

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Mass

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The amount of matter in an object, which is a key factor in determining the strength of its gravitational force.

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Example: This image shows that different objects have different amounts of mass, which are measured in units like milligrams (mg), grams (g), and kilograms (kg).