Answer:

What is a tide about ?

Before we get into details concerning the origin of tides (without using complicated scientific explanations), let us start by answering a simple question : what is a tide ? It is a regular MOTION of the sea’s and OCEAN’s level. This phenomenon makes the water either go up or down. So how do tides work ?

The WAY tides work is not simple as there are many factors to take into account : it is mainly due to the Moon’s and Sun’s GRAVITATIONAL pull exerted on the Earth.

Tides are strongly influenced by the gravitational force of the Moon (due to its proximity with the Earth). Its pull exerted on our planet attracts the water toward it.

As for the Sun, it attracts the water surface the same way, but slightly less than the Moon does (as it is further away). They are not the only ones which affect the ocean and sea levels.

Our beautiful planet Earth also plays a role in the tides phenomenon. When you turn, your car is attracted to the road outside, it works the same way with water surface !

Water surface MOVES away from the Earth’s centre which is a phenomenon caused by the Earth itself when it rotates: it is called the “centrifugal force”.

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