The low tides happen in between the tidal bulges. The high tide with the moon overhead is typically larger. As for why the height of the tides changes over a lunar cycle, and indeed throughout the year, that primary is due to the Sun. As there are tidal forces between the Earth and Moon, there are tidal forces with the Sun.
The size of the tides depends on a number of factors. Of course, the most dominant factor is the gravitation pull of the moon. You will get two high tides: one roughly* when the moon is overhead, and another when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth. The low tides happen in between the tidal bulges.
Why are there both high and low tides?
Tides are created by gravity, and the tidal force is caused by the fact that gravity weakens with distance. Why are there 2 high tides and 2 low tides? Because the Earth rotates through two tidal “bulges” every lunar day, coastal areas experience two high and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes.
You might be thinking “What causes high and low tides and why?”
The Short Answer: High and low tides are caused by the moon. The moon’s gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon. These bulges of water are high tides.
High tides and low tides are caused by the moon. The moon’s gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon.
One of the next things we asked ourselves was, what causes high tide and low tide and why?
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For example, when an area covered by the ocean faces the moon, the moon’s gravitational force on the water causes a high high tide. As the Earth rotates, that area moves away from the moon’s influence and the tide ebbs. Now it is low tide in that area.
Why do tides occur twice a day?
Most tides are semidiurnal, which means they take place twice a day. For example, when an area covered by the ocean faces the moon, the moon’s gravitational force on the water causes a high high tide. As the Earth rotates, that area moves away from the moon’s influence and the tide ebbs.
Why do tides form on the side facing away from the Moon?
On the side facing away from the Moon, the rotational force of the Earth is stronger than the Moon’s gravitational pull. The rotational force causes water to pile up as the water tries to resist that force, so high tides form on this side, too. Elsewhere on the Earth, the ocean recedes, producing low tides.
How do tides move?
Tide changes proceed via the following stages:
Sea level rises over several hours, covering the intertidal zone; flood tide. The water rises to its highest level, reaching high tide. Sea level falls over several hours, revealing the intertidal zone; ebb tide. The water stops falling, reaching low tide.
How do tides form on Earth?
Tide created when the Earth directly faces the moon. Water level that has risen as a result of the moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth. Tide created when the Earth faces away from the moon.
The sun also plays a role in the formation of tides, but a much smaller one. Tides move around Earth as bulges in the ocean. As the ocean bulges toward the moon, a high tide is created. The high tide on the side of Earth facing the moon is called the high high tide.