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