What Causes ‘Tides’ and How Are They Linked to the Moon?

The ocean is like a big ball that gets pulled by the Moon. When the Moon comes close, it pulls on the water, making it rise, and when it moves away, the water goes down. This up-and-down motion is called tides. The Moon does this every day, so we get two tides each day: one high and one low.

Take the quiz →

Examples

When you're on the beach and the water comes in and goes out, that’s the ocean breathing like a giant under the Moon.
Imagine being in a boat. When you are pulled toward the Moon, your boat rises up, that's a high tide!
If the Moon is at its highest point above Earth, people on the opposite side of the planet also get a high tide.

Ask a question

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Science · tides,moon,gravity,oceanography