Tidal

Tidal refers to the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of gravitational forces exerted by the Moon, Sun, and rotation of the Earth. The term "tidal" can also be used to describe something that is affected or characterized by tides.

Overview

Tides are the regular rise and fall in water level experienced by seas and oceans in response to the gravitational influences of the Moon and the Sun, and the effects of the Earth's rotation. During each tidal cycle, at any given place the water rises to a maximum height known as "high tide" before ebbing away again to the minimum "low tide" level.

Causes of Tides

Tides are caused by the gravitational interaction between the Earth and the Moon. The gravitational attraction of the moon causes the oceans to bulge out in the direction of the moon. Another bulge occurs on the opposite side, since the Earth is also being pulled toward the moon (and away from the water on the far side).

Types of Tides

There are three basic types of tides: diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed. Diurnal tides are characterized by one high tide and one low tide each day. Semidiurnal tides have two high tides and two low tides each day. Mixed tides are characterized by wide variation in heights of consecutive high and low waters and occur in many places around the world.

Tidal Phenomena

Various phenomena are associated with tides, including tidal bores, tidal ranges, and tidal power. Tidal bores occur in a few locations around the world where incoming tides are funneled into a shallow, narrowing river or lake via a broad bay. Tidal ranges are the difference in water level between high tide and low tide. Tidal power is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity or other useful forms of power.

See Also

• Tide table
• Tide clock
• Tide gauge
• Tide pool

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