Jonathan T. answered • 02/27/24
10+ Years of Experience from Hundreds of Colleges and Universities!
During a high tide, the gravitational pull of the Moon (and to a lesser extent, the Sun) causes the water in the Earth's oceans to bulge outward. This occurs because the gravitational force of the Moon is stronger on the side of the Earth that is facing the Moon, and weaker on the opposite side. The difference in gravitational force causes the water to be pulled toward the Moon, creating a high tide on the side of the Earth that is facing the Moon, and a high tide on the opposite side of the Earth as well. This is why there are two high tides and two low tides each day.
In addition to the gravitational pull of the Moon, the Sun also has an effect on the tides. When the Sun and Moon are aligned, their gravitational forces combine to create higher high tides and lower low tides, known as spring tides. When the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other, their gravitational forces partially cancel each other out, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides, known as neap tides.
Overall, high tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon (and to a lesser extent, the Sun) on the Earth's oceans, which causes the water to bulge outward and create a high tide.
