Tides
Tides
Tides
Tides are changes in the sea levels due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and the sun
on the earth and by the rotation of the earth.
SPRING TIDES
Spring tides take place twice each month, at new moon and at full moon. This is when the
gravitational attraction of the Earth by the Sun is in the same direction as the gravitational
attraction of the Earth by the Moon, producing a maximum combined attraction of the Earth.
These tides are therefore the highest high tides and the lowest low tides.
NEAP TIDES
Neap tides occur twice each month, at the 1st quarter and 3rd quarter phases of the Moon.
This is when the gravitational attraction of the Earth by the Sun and the gravitational
attraction of the Earth by the Moon produce a minimum combined attraction of the Earth.
These tides are therefore the lowest high tides and the highest low tides.
THE EFFECTS OF TIDES
● A storm surge occurs if the low-pressure eye of a hurricane sucks the ocean water into
a swell and pulls it on to a coastal region. If this occurs during a spring tide, the sea
level can rise significantly.
● Tidal bores occur at the mouths of rivers when the flow of water downstream meets a
rising high tide and raises the water level even higher. If the riverbanks are steep and
the width of the river upstream decreases significantly, the rise in water level can be
very pronounced.
❖ Temperature
❖ Salinity
❖ Water turbulence
Video to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RdkXs8BibE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPVomM6DBAA
# Q A
1
3 Specimen 2009
4 June 1995
5 June 2001
6 Specimen 2008
June 2018 No 6
(a) John notices that there are two high tides and two low tides on the coastline each day.
With the aid of a diagram, explain how these tides are formed, and outline THREE
effects of these tides on organisms found on the coastline. (5)
(b) Effects on organisms found on the coastline (3)