tides

Question 1

what are tides?

Answer 1

-daily changes in elevation of ocean surface
-result from gravitational attraction exerted upon earth by the moon and to a lesser extent by the sun

Question 2

describe the monthly tidal cycle

Answer 2

-moon makes one complete revolution around earth every 29 1/2 days
-sun also influences tides. it is far larger than the moon, but because it is much farther away, its effect is considerably less. in fact, the sun’s tide-generating effect is only about half that of the moon

Question 3

what are spring tides?

Answer 3

at new and full moons, the sun and moon are aligned and their forces are added together - produce large tidal range

Question 4

what are neap tides?

Answer 4

at first and third quarters of the moon, the gravitational forces of the moon and sun act on earth at right angles, and each partially offsets the influence of the other resulting in a smaller daily tidal range