Anybody know anything on tides?

Question

I have a page essay due on tides and I need some help.
If U know anything that's great. I need some info.

Answer 1

Tides are caused by the gravitational effect of the Moon (primarily) and sun (secondary) on the earth, especially on the oceans. A few misc. details:

1. While the tides primarilly effect large water bodies such as oceans, they will also affect land masses as well. In some places near the equater, the tide can vary as much as 55 cm. The nature of the speed that it moves, however, means that there is little to notice to someone on land. Very large lakes will also have some tidal difference, but it is small enough to be undistinguishable.

2. The ocean tides primarilly begin in the southern oceans. This is because there this is the only place on earth that the 'wave' that follows the moon can completely circumnavigate the earth without touching the land.

3. While the moon is the primary cause of tides, the sun also will effect the level of tides. When the sun and moon are aligned with the earth in a straight line, the gravitational forces are added creating 'spring tides', which offer the greatest difference between high and low tides. When the moon, sun, and earth are not in a line (for instance, when they are at right angles), the tidal forces do not work together, and a 'neap tide' occurs; the difference between high and low tides are reduced.

4. Tides are greatest in areas that channel ocean water into a very small area, such as Cook Inlet in Alaska or the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia (averages 17m). They are least on areas that are wide open or partially blocked from the open ocean (such as the Gulf of Mexico) have the lowest tidal range.

Hope this helps...

Answer 2

Try the web page below. It should tell you everything you need to know.

Answer 3

try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide