Practice and Revision - Tides
Let us practise and revise what we learned about tides. Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels, caused mainly by the gravitationa
Core concept
Tides occur due to the gravitational pull of the moon (and to a lesser extent the sun) on Earth's oceans, causing water to bulge.
How it works
High tide occurs when a location faces the moon or is on the opposite side, while low tide occurs at locations perpendicular to this bulge.
Why it matters
Spring tides, with the highest high tides and lowest low tides, occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align during full or new moon.
Key detail
Neap tides, with less extreme tidal differences, occur when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other relative to Earth.
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Quick notes
• Tides: caused by moon's (and sun's) gravity.
• This causes ocean water to bulge.
• High tide: facing moon or opposite side.
• Low tide: perpendicular to the bulge.
• Spring tides: highest highs, lowest lows.
• Occur during full/new moon alignment.
• Neap tides: less extreme differences.
• Occur when sun/moon at right angles.