Understanding Tides: Causes, Forces, and Patterns Explained
Explore the fascinating world of tides, from their causes - the gravitational forces of the sun and moon, to the concepts of tidal range, spring tides, and neap tides. Discover how these natural phenomena impact our oceans and environment in a rhythmic cycle of ebb and flow.
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Presentation Transcript
Key Question: What causes tides?
What are tides? Tides are the daily changes in the level of ocean water.
What causes tides? Tides are caused by the difference in the gravitational force of the sun and the moon.
What is tidal force? Tidal Force: the difference in gravitational force The tidal force exerted by the moon is stronger than the tidal force of the sun. The moon is closer so it exerts more gravitational pull than the sun does. Animation
High Tides and Low Tides High tide is when the water level is higher than the average sea level. Low tide is when the water level is lower than the average sea level.
What are tidal ranges? A tidal range is the difference between the levels of the ocean water at high tide and low tide.
Spring Tides: The largest tidal range Occur during new and full moon when the sun and moon are aligned The gravitational pull of the moon and sun add together and cause one pair of very large tidal bulges.
Spring Tides Higher high tides and lower low tides
Neap Tides The smallest tidal range Occur when the moon and the sun are at 90 angle to each other. Occur during the 1st and 3rd quarter phases The sun pulls water one way , the moon pulls water the other way
Neap Tides Low high tides and high low tides
What causes tidal cycles? The Earth s rotation and the moon s revolution around Earth determine when tides occur. The moon revolves slower than Earth rotates so the tides occur 50 minutes later each day. There are about 6 hours between high tide and low tide. There are about 12 hours between two high tides or two low tides.