Tides

Define perigee

A perigee is the point in the moon's orbit where it is the closest to Earth

Define apogee

An apogee is the point in the moon's orbit where it is farthest away from Earth. "A" for Away.

Describe the range of the high and low tides during a spring tide.

During a spring tide, there is the greatest range of water level between the high tide and the low tide. The spring tide results in the highest high tide and lowest low tide because of the extra gravitational pull "helping" the moon pull on the Earth's oceans.

Describe the range of the high and low tides during a neap tide.

During the neap tide, there is the lowest range between high tide and low tide.

a. Using degrees, describe the position of the moon and sun in relation to the earth. b. Where do the tidal bulges occur? What does this show about the gravitational force of the moon on tides in comparison to the sun? c. Describe how the bulges are different than in spring tide. Why are they so different?

If you were to draw a line from the moon to the center of the Earth, and then a line from the sun the the center of the Earth during a neap tide, you would see that they create a 90 degree angle. The large tidal bulges occur on the side of the moon, and the opposite side of the moon. These large tidal bulges are caused by the moon's pull on the Earth oceans, and the moon's gravitational pull on the actual earth, leaving a bulge on the opposite side. The smaller tidal bulges occur on the side of the sun, and the side opposite the sun. These small tidal bulges are caused by the sun's (weaker) gravitational pull on the oceans, and on the physical Earth itself. These tidal bulges are different from the spring tide bulges for 2 reasons. The large tidal bulges occur at a 90 degree angle to the sun, instead of being inline with the sun. The largest tidal bulges are smaller, and the smallest tidal bulges are larger. This is because during the spring tide, the sun's gravity is "helping" the moon to pull the oceans and the Earth. However, during a neap tide, the sun is at a 90 degree angle with the moon and is therefore working against the moon's gravity to create a lower high tide, and therefore much less of a range between high tide and low tide. The moon still pulls the oceans higher than the sun can because it is closer and therefore has a stronger gravitational pull on the Earth's oceans.

Although our sun has a stronger gravitational force on earth than our moon, why are our ocean tides influenced more by the moon than by the sun?

Ocean tides are influenced more by the moon than by the sun because although our sun has greater mass and therefore greater gravity, gravity is also affected by distance, so the moon has a stronger gravitational pull on the ocean than the sun does because the moon is much closer to Earth.

What force influences tides?

The moon and sun's gravity influence tides, as well as the position of the moon. However, because the moon is much closer to the Earth than the Sun, it is mostly the gravitational pull of the moon that influences the tides.

a. State the 2 possible positions of the earth, sun, and moon. b. How many bulges are there? c.What is causing each tidal bulge? d.What do you notice about the ocean at a 90 degree angle from the bulges?

The sun, moon, and Earth must all be aligned, and the moon can either be in the full moon or new moon position. There are 2 tidal bulges. The pull of the sun and/or moon on the oceans, as well as the sun and/or moon's pull of the actual Earth causes the tidal bulges. At a 90 degree angle from the bulges, the ocean is at its lowest point.

When the moon is in its apogee, what happens to the tides?

When the moon is in its apogee, all tides become a bit lower.

When the moon is in its perigee, what happens to the tides?

When the moon is in its perigee, all tides become a bit higher.

In general, how many high and low tides are there in a day?

In general, there are 2 high and 2 low tides in 24 hours. They exchange every 6 hours.