The Moon and Tides: How Are They Connected?
Have you ever noticed how the water at the beach rises and falls throughout the day?
This movement of the ocean is called the tide. It’s not just random! The rise and fall of
the tide happen because of a special connection between the Earth, the Moon, and
gravity. The Moon’s gravity pulls on the Earth's oceans, creating tides. But how exactly
does this work?
The Moon’s gravity is strongest on the side of the Earth that is closest to it. This pull
causes the ocean water on that side to bulge out a little, which is what we call high tide.
At the same time, the water on the opposite side of the Earth also bulges out due to
forces pulling it in the opposite direction. This is why there are two high tides each day
— one on the side closest to the Moon and one on the opposite side.
When the ocean is not in one of these bulges, it experiences low tide. As the Earth
rotates, different areas move through these high and low tides. So, every 24 hours, most
places on the coast will have two high tides and two low tides. The timing of these tides
changes each day because the Moon is also moving around the Earth. This means the
time for high and low tides shifts a little bit from one day to the next.
The Moon isn’t the only thing affecting the tides. The Sun’s gravity also plays a part,
though its pull on the Earth’s oceans is weaker than the Moon’s. When the Sun and
Moon line up, like during a full moon or a new moon, they work together, creating extra
high tides called spring tides. On the other hand, when the Sun and Moon are at right
angles to each other, they pull in different directions, and the result is lower tides, called
neap tides.
So, next time you visit the beach, you can thank the Moon for making the tides rise
and fall! The constant movement of the tides is one of nature’s wonders, and it’s all
because of the invisible force of gravity. Even though we can’t see gravity, its effects on
the ocean are clear, shaping the rhythm of the sea each day.
The Moon orbits around our How the Moon affects the
planet. tides.
The Moon’s gravity It’s about the Moon and the
tides.
How does the Moon affect Why the Moon affects the
the tides? tides.
The Sun also influences the How is the Sun connected
tides. to the tides?
The Moon’s gravity is Tides change as the Earth
strong. rotates.
Every 24 hours, most places How the Moon isn’t the
on the coast will have two only thing affecting the
high tides and two low tides.
tides.
It’s about how the Sun and Types of tides
the Moon pull the tide in
different directions.
