TIDE BASICS
What causes tides?
The Moon’s gravity (and the Sun’s gravity)
When ocean water reaches its highest level, what is it called?
High tide
What causes a spring tide?
Sun, Moon, and Earth are in a straight line
What causes a neap tide?
Sun and Moon are at a 90° angle
Which Moon phase creates the highest tides?
Full Moon or New Moon
What are tides?
The daily rise and fall of ocean water
When ocean water reaches its lowest level, what is it called?
Low tide
During spring tides, are the tides higher or lower?
Higher high tides (and lower low tides)
During neap tides, are tides stronger or weaker?
Weaker
Which Moon phase creates the weakest tides?
First Quarter or Third Quarter
How many high tides happen each day?
Two
If the Moon is directly overhead, what tide is likely occurring?
High tide
During which Moon phases do spring tides occur?
New Moon and Full Moon
Which Moon phases create neap tides?
First Quarter and Third Quarter
What happens to tides when the Moon is closer to Earth?
Tides get stronger
How many low tides happen each day?
Two
If water pulls away from the shore, what tide is happening?
Low tide
Why are spring tides stronger?
The Sun’s and Moon’s gravity work together
Why are neap tides weaker?
The Sun’s and Moon’s gravity work against each other
If the Moon were farther away, what would happen to tides?
They would be weaker
What is the main force pulling ocean water to create tides?
The Moon’s gravity
What pattern describes two high tides and two low tides daily?
A tidal cycle (or semidiurnal tide)
What is the alignment called when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in a straight line?
The alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth in a straight line is called syzygy.
Syzygy is pronounced:
SIZ-uh-jee
If tides aren’t very high or very low, what tide is it?
Neap tide
How does the Moon’s position change tides?
Different positions create different gravitational pulls, changing tide height