Eclipse and Tides Vocabulary

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide occurs when the sun, Earth, and the moon are in a straight line, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide is a lower than normal high tide that occurs when the first and third quarter moon, Earth, and Sun are at right angles to each other.

Front

What is the umbra?

Back

The umbra is the central, darkest part of a shadow.

Front

What are tides?

Back

Tides are the periodic rising and falling of the surface level of the ocean and other waters due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and the sun.

Front

What is a partial solar eclipse?

Back

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the new moon temporarily blocks part of the sun's disk, and viewers on Earth are located in the penumbra of the moon's shadow.

Front

What is the penumbra?

Back

The penumbra is the outer part of a shadow where light is partially blocked.

Front

What causes tides?

Back

Tides are caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans.

Front

What is a total solar eclipse?

Back

A total solar eclipse occurs when the new moon completely covers the sun, casting a shadow on Earth.

Front

What is an annular eclipse?

Back

An annular eclipse occurs when the new moon covers the center of the sun, leaving a ring-like appearance.

Front

What is the tidal zone?

Back

The tidal zone is the area of the shore that is affected by the rise and fall of tides.