Tides

Tides Tides are the regular rise and fall of water of the ocean. Each day the ocean surface rises and falls because of tides. Most places have two high tides and two low tides each day.

High Tide -The highest point of the rise is called high tide Low Tide - The lowest point is called low tide. Tidal Range - The difference between high tide and low tide is called the tidal range. Spring Tide - At times when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in line with each other (during full and new moons), the tidal range is larger because both the Sun’s and Moon's gravitational pull create the tide. This is called a spring tide. Neap Tide - At times when the Moon and Sun are not in line with Earth, when they are at right angles when viewed from Earth, the tidal range is smaller. This is called a neap tide.

Causes of Tides Tides happen because of the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on ocean water. The Moon has a much greater impact on tides than the Sun because it is much closer. The Moon pulls water that is closest to it making a high tide on the side of the Earth closest to the Moon and there is a high tide on the opposite side of the Earth too. Low tides happen in places between the high tides. Because Earth is rotating, the tides change over time.

Causes of Tides Gravity is a major force responsible for creating tides. Inertia, acts to counterbalance gravity. It is the tendency of moving objects to continue moving in a straight line. Together, gravity and inertia are responsible for the creation of two major tidal bulges on the Earth (Ross, D.A., 1995).

Tides

Tides

Tides

Tides

Tides