6.9B Tides

Front

What is a tide?

Back

A tide is the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun on Earth.

Front

How often do high tides occur in coastal areas?

Back

High tides occur every 12 hours and 25 minutes.

Front

How many times do tides occur in Earth's oceans each day?

Back

Tides occur twice a day.

Front

What causes a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned, causing the gravitational forces to combine and create higher high tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other, resulting in lower high tides.

Front

What role does the moon play in tides?

Back

The moon's gravity pulls on Earth's ocean water, causing high tides in the areas closest to it.

Front

What is the difference between high tide and low tide?

Back

High tide is when the water level is at its highest point, while low tide is when the water level is at its lowest point.

Front

What happens to tides during a full moon?

Back

During a full moon, spring tides occur because the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned.

Front

What is the gravitational effect of the sun on tides?

Back

The sun's gravity also affects tides, but its effect is less than that of the moon due to its greater distance from Earth.

Front

How do tides affect coastal ecosystems?

Back

Tides influence the distribution of nutrients, the behavior of marine organisms, and the overall health of coastal ecosystems.