Final-Tides

Question 1

Are tides shallow- or deep-water waves?

Answer 1

Tide Characteristics Very long shallow water waves

Question 2

What are the important tidal constituents and what are their periods?

Answer 2

M2(12.42), S2(12), K1(23.93), Q1(25.82) N2(12.66)

Question 3

What is the dffierence between diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed
tides?

Answer 3

Diurnal Tides 1 high tide and 1 low tide per day

Semi-Diurnal Tide 2 high tides and 2 low tides per day

Mixed Tide Tides vary irregularly twice daily

Question 4

How are tides measured?

Answer 4

Devices to Measure Tides Mechanical Float Gauge, Acoustic Tide Gauge, Pressure Sensors

Question 5

What are the two major tidal generating

forces?

Answer 5

Two Tide Generating Forces Gravitational forces from the moon and sun and Centripetal force

Question 6

What are the three main assumptions in the equilibrium theory? Are these assumptions acceptable? What are spring and neap tides?

Answer 6

Equilibrium Theory of the Tides 1. The surface of the earth is completely covered by water to an infinite depth.

2. Tides are progressive waves.
3. Water is assumed to be in equilibrium with the tide generating forces at all time.

assumptions are unacceptable
spring tides moon and sun bulges line up and create contructive interference (highest high tides)

neap tides moon and sun at 90 degree angles, bulges are opposite of each other (lowst tidal amplitude)

Question 7

What new tidal influences are

included in the dynamic theory but not in the equilibrium theory?

Answer 7

Takes into account the seafloor, the continents, the coriolis force, and friction

Question 8

In what sense are the tides a combination of standing and progressive waves?

Answer 8

Period and wavelength are based off the basin that they are in but they move in the time of progressive waves

Question 9

What is an amphidromic point? What are cotidal and

corange lines?

Answer 9

A point of zero amplitude of one tidal constituent

Cotidal lines radiate outward from node and link points on earth that have tides at the same time of day.

Corange lines form circles about the node and link points on earth with tides of equal range.

Question 10

What are ebb and

flood currents?

Answer 10

Flood Current Moves toward coast

Ebb Current Moves away from coast

Question 11

What is a tidal

bore?

Answer 11

Wall of water that surges upriver with the advancing tide

Question 12

What is the difference between centrifugal and centripetal

forces?

Answer 12

Centrifugal Force An outward force in a rotating reference frame

Centripetal Force A force that makes a body follow a curved path