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Chapter 8: Problem 53

What are neap tides? Explain the formation of neap tides.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Explain the formation of neap tides and their relationship to the Moon's phases. Answer: Neap tides form when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other with respect to the Earth, resulting in counteracting gravitational forces that lead to a lower tidal range. These tides typically occur during the first and third quarter moon phases. The Moon's gravitational force pulls the ocean towards it, while the Sun's gravitational force pulls the ocean in a perpendicular direction. This causes the bulges created by the gravitational forces to be less pronounced, which leads to a smaller difference between high and low tide.

Step by step solution

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1. Introduction to Tides

Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and Sun on the Earth's oceans. These forces cause the ocean to bulge on the side facing the Moon and Sun, as well as on the opposite side of the Earth. The tidal range, or the difference between high and low tide, varies depending on the positions of the Moon, Sun, and Earth.
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2. Spring Tides and Neap Tides

There are two main types of tides: spring tides and neap tides. Spring tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned (either in a straight line or in opposition), resulting in higher tidal range due to the combined gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun. Neap tides, on the other hand, occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other with respect to the Earth, which leads to a lower tidal range due to the counteracting gravitational forces.
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3. Moon Phases and Tides

The formation of neap tides is associated with the different phases of the Moon. The Moon follows an elliptical orbit around the Earth and its position relative to the Sun changes every day. The lunar cycle consists of four main phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and third quarter. Spring tides occur during the new moon and full moon phases, whereas neap tides occur during the first and third quarter moon phases.
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4. Gravitational Forces during Neap Tides

To understand the formation of neap tides, we must examine the gravitational forces acting on the Earth during the first and third quarter moon phases. During these phases, the Moon and Sun exert gravitational forces on the Earth that partially cancel each other out. This is because the Moon's gravitational force pulls the ocean towards it, while the Sun's gravitational force pulls the ocean in a perpendicular direction. As a result, the bulges created by the gravitational forces are not as pronounced, leading to a smaller difference between high and low tide.
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5. Summary

Neap tides occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other with respect to the Earth, resulting in counteracting gravitational forces that lead to a lower tidal range. These tides typically occur during the first and third quarter moon phases. By understanding the positions of the Moon, Sun, and Earth during these phases and the resulting gravitational forces, we can effectively explain the formation of neap tides.

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