Earth Science: Ocean Tides How the Moon Pulls the Water

What is a tide?

What force from the Moon helps cause ocean tides on Earth?

During high tide, is the ocean water level near shore higher or lower than usual? Explain your answer.

During low tide, many rocks and tide pools can be seen along the shore. Why can these areas be seen more easily at low tide?

A student says, "The Moon pulls only on land, not on water." Is the student correct? Explain.

Most ocean places have about two high tides and two low tides each day. If a high tide happens in the morning, what kind of tide will usually happen next?

Why does the side of Earth facing the Moon often have a high tide?

The Sun also has gravity. Why does the Moon have a strong effect on Earth's tides even though the Sun is much bigger?

Spring tides happen when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up. These tides have very high high tides and very low low tides. Which arrangement would make a spring tide: lined up or at a right angle?

Neap tides happen when the Sun and Moon pull from different directions at about a right angle. Are neap tides usually stronger or weaker than spring tides?

A boat is tied to a dock. In the morning, the boat is floating high beside the dock. Later, the boat is much lower and the muddy bottom is visible. What changed?

Draw or describe what the ocean water might look like around Earth when the Moon is pulling on it. Include where a high tide would be.

Why do scientists and sailors use tide charts?

Complete the explanation: Ocean tides are mainly caused by the Moon's gravity pulling on Earth's oceans. As Earth rotates, different coastlines move through areas of high and low water. What does this cause at the shore?