What Causes the ‘Tides’ and Why Are They Sometimes Stronger Than Others?

The moon pulls the ocean, like a magnet pulling water. When the moon is close, it makes big tides. Sometimes the sun helps too, like when both are on the same side of Earth, and they pull together to make super strong tides.

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The moon pulls the ocean like a magnet, making water rise and fall as Earth turns.
When both the sun and moon pull in the same direction, it creates extra high tides on the beach.
During neap tides, the water doesn’t go up or down as much, so boats can move more easily through harbors.

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Categories: Science · tides,oceanography,gravity,moon,earth