Tides Webquest

Part I: Background on Tides

Begin your information search by using your textbook and accessing
http://www.nos.noaa.gov/education/tides/welcome.html
As you read through the tutorial, answer the questions below that correspond to each
section of the tutorial.
What are Tides?
1. What is a basic definition of a tide?
A long period waves that move through the oceans in response to the forces exerted
by the moon and sun.
. What is a high tide? What is a low tide?
A high tide is when the highest part, or crest of the wave reaches a particular point.
A low tide corresponds to the lowest part of the wave, or its trough.
!. What is tidal range?
The range between the high and low tide.
What Causes Tides?
". #ides are caused by the gra$itational attraction of what two celestial bodies?
The pull of the sun and the moon.
%. What does &ewton's law of uni$ersal gra$itational state?
It says that the gravitational attraction between two bodies is directly proportional to
their masses, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the
bodies.
(. Which celestial body has a greater effect on tidal forces on )arth?
The un.
Gravity, Inertia, and the Two Bulges
*. +ow does the moon create a bulge?
The gravitational force from the moon pulls the water towards it, creating a bulge.
1,. What causes a bulge to be created on the opposite side of the )arth or the -far
side. from the moon?
Inertia exceeds the gravitational force, and the water tries to !eep going in a straight
line, moving away from the "arth, thus creating a bulge.
Changing ngles and Changing Tides
11. /escribe how changes in the relati$e positions of the moon and sun change in
relation to the )arth?
It changes based on the position of the earth#s equator and has a direct effect on tidal
changes.
1. At what point is the sun at its minimum declination and its maximum declination?
$uring the vernal and autumnal equinox, it is at its lowest. $uring the summer and
winter solstices, it is at its highest.
!requency o" Tides # The $unar %ay
10. 1ompare and contrast a solar and lunar day. +ow long is a lunar day?
A lunar day is %& minutes longer than a solar day because the moon revolves around
the earth in the same direction that the earths rotates around its axis.
1". Why do most coastal areas experience two high tides and two low tides?
The earth rotates through two tidal 'bulges( each lunar day.
1%. +ow long does it take for high tide to occur? +ow long is the time between low
and high tide?
)* hours and *% minutes+ , hours and )*.% minutes for high to low.
Tidal &ariations # The In"luence o" Position and %istance
1(. What causes spring tides? What causes neap tides? +ow many spring and neap
tides occur in a lunar month?
-eap tides happen when the un, "arth, and .oon are all aligned at right angles.
Two sets of spring and neap tides occur in a lunar moon.
1*. +ow are tide2generating forces affected when the moon is closest to the )arth 3or
perigee4? When the moon is farthest away from the )arth 3or apogee4? +ow does this
affect the tides that are produced?
Tide generating forces are higher during perigee+ during apogee the lunar tide
raising force is smaller. /roduces above average tidal ranges 0perigee1 and lower
than average tidal ranges 0apogee1.
,. +ow are tide2generating forces affected when the )arth is closest to the sun 3or
perihelion4? When the )arth is farthest from the sun 3or aphelion4? +ow does this
affect the tides that are produced?
/erihelion2 tidal ranges enhanced
Aphelion2 tidal ranges reduced
The tides are larger and smaller than normal
What ""ects Tides in ddition to the 'un and (oon?
1. +ow are the magnitudes of tides affected by shorelines? By mid2ocean islands?
The height of the tides can be magnified. .id2ocean islands experience very small
tides.
. +ow does a funnel2shaped bay compare to a narrow inlet and shallow water?
3unnel shaped can dramatically alter tidal magnitude, narrow inlets and shallow
water can dissipate incoming tides.
!. What is the affect of strong tidal ri$ers on tides in estuaries?
Tidal rivers can severely alter or mas! the incoming tide.
5. What other abiotic factors affect tides? 1ompare and contrast wind and weather
patterns that affect tides.
4ind and weather. trong offshore winds can move water away from coastlines,
exaggerating low tide exposures. 5igh2 pressure systems can depress sea levels 06ow
tides1. 6ow2 pressure systems are associated with tides than are much higher than
predicted.