lecture 11 Flashcards
What causes tides?
Tides are the rise and fall of the ocean’s surface, primarily resulting from the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth’s oceans.
How do gravitational forces affect tides?
Gravitational forces between Earth and the moon (or the sun) vary with distance. These forces, combined with Earth’s rotation, create tidal bulges on Earth’s surface, leading to high and low tides.
What role does centripetal force play in tides?
Centripetal force, the center-seeking force, helps to maintain the moon in its orbit around Earth and contributes to the formation of tidal bulges by balancing gravitational forces.
What creates tidal bulges?
Tidal bulges are created by the difference in gravitational pull at different points on Earth’s surface. One bulge forms toward the moon due to direct gravitational pull, and another forms on the opposite side due to the inertia of water resisting centripetal force.
What are flood and ebb tides?
Flood tide occurs when sea levels rise and move toward the shore, while ebb tide occurs as sea levels fall and appear to move away from the shore, influenced by Earth’s rotation through tidal bulges.
What are spring and neap tides?
Spring tides occur when Earth, the moon, and the sun are aligned, causing higher high tides and lower low tides due to the combined gravitational forces. Neap tides occur when the moon and sun are at right angles to Earth, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides due to counteracting forces.
How does the Earth-Moon system affect tides?
The Earth and Moon revolve around their common center of mass, causing Earth to ‘wobble’ slightly, which affects the tidal forces experienced on Earth’s surface.
What factors influence tidal ranges?
Tidal ranges are influenced by the positions of the moon and sun relative to Earth, the distance between these celestial bodies and Earth, and the geographical features of coastlines and ocean basins.
Can tides be used as a source of renewable energy?
yes, tidal movements can be harnessed for energy production, offering a predictable and renewable source of power, although it’s available only at certain times due to the tidal cycle and may have environmental impacts.
