Tides

What is a Tide?

• A tide is the rise and fall of the sea level

The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun make the tides.

• The Sun is so much larger than the Moon but has about ½ of the power compared to the Moon on tides…WHY?

• The Moon is closer to Earth

The Types of Tides:

1. Spring Tides• The Sun, Moon and Earth are in a straight line.

1. Spring Tides• Come once every two weeks.

• During a full and new moon phase

Spring Tides• Highest High Tides and Lowest Low Tides

• Why?

• Gravitational Force – the force that pushes towards the center of rotation

• Centrifugal Force - the force that pushes a body away from the center of rotation.

2. Neap Tides • When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are at right

angles.

2. Neap Tides• Happens about twice a month

• Happens at the 1st and 3rd quarter Moon Phase

2. Neap Tides• Tidal Range is the smallest.

• Lowest High Tides and Highest Low Tides

• Why?

Now For a Brain Pop on Tides

Tidal Cycles

• There are 3 different tidal cycles; this is how many high tides and how many low tides there are per 24 hour period

Tidal Cycles – 3 types

1. Diurnal Tidal Cycle• One high tide and one low tide per 24 hours

• Uncommon – areas near Gulf of Mexico

2. Semidiurnal Tidal Cycle

• Two identical high tides and two identical low tides in one tidal cycle

east coast of USA

3. Mixed Semidiurnal Tidal Cycle

• 2 High and 2 Low tides – all of different heights. West coast of USA