Scribd
Upload
24 views3 pages

A1.2.5 Water Movement

Uploaded by

vibyliah101
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
24 views3 pages

A1.2.5 Water Movement

Uploaded by

vibyliah101
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

26

WATER MOVEMENT

Tides vary on timescales ranging from


Specific Objectives hours to years due to numerous influences.
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
 Explain the causes of high and low tide.
 Outline the effects of tidal waves. Tidal phenomena are not limited to the
oceans, but can occur in other systems,
such as lakes whenever a gravitational field
(that varies in time and space) is present.

INTRODUCTION - TIDES

Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels


caused by the combined effects of the
gravitational forces exerted by the Moon
and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth.

Most places in the ocean usually Fig. 19.7: High and low tides
experience two high tides and two low
tides each day (semidiurnal tide), but some
CAUSES OF TIDES
locations experience only one high and one
low tide each day (diurnal tide). As the moon revolves around the earth, it
exerts a gravitational pull on the earth. The
The times and amplitude of the tides at the moon's gravitational force pulls on water
coast are influenced by the alignment of in the oceans so that there are bulges in the
the Sun and Moon, by the pattern of tides ocean on both sides of the planet. The
in the deep ocean and by the shape of the moon pulls water toward it, and this causes
coastline and near-shore bathymetry. the bulge toward the moon. The bulge on

259
the side of the Earth opposite the moon is 12 hours and 25 minutes. The sea level
caused by the moon pulling the Earth rises and falls over several times.
away from the water on that side.
Flood tide or incoming tide is formed
High and low tides when the water rises up the beach. When
High tide occurs when the level of the sea the level falls, ebb tide is formed.
rises to the maximum.
If you are on the coast and the moon is Spring tides
directly overhead, you should experience a Spring tides are especially strong tides.
high tide. They occur when the Earth, the Sun, and
the Moon are in line. The gravitational
Low tide forces of the Moon and the Sun both
Low tide occurs when the sea drops to the contribute to the tides. Spring tides occur
lowest level. during the full moon and the new moon.
If the moon is directly overhead on the
opposite side of the planet, you should Neap tides
experience a low tide. Because tidal Neap tides are especially weak tides. They
currents cease it is also called slack tide. occur when the gravitational forces of the
Moon and the Sun are perpendicular to one
another (with respect to the Earth). Neap
tides occur during quarter moons.

Fig. 19.8: Low and high tides

During the day, the Earth rotates 180


degrees in 12 hours. The moon,
meanwhile, rotates 6 degrees around the
earth in 12 hours. The twin bulges and the
moon's rotation mean that any given Fig. 19.9: Spring and neep tides
coastal city experiences a high tide every

260
EFFECTS OF TIDAL WAVES TEST QUESTIONS

Tidal waves, also known as tsunami, can 1. a) What are tides?


be generated by an undersea earthquake, an b) Explain how tides occur.
undersea landslide, the eruption of an c) With the aid of a suitable diagram,
undersea volcano, or by the force of an explain the differences between
asteroid crashing into the ocean. spring and neap tides.
Tidal waves are known for the damage
they cause when they hit. Some effects of 2. a) What are the causes of tidal
tidal waves are: waves?
i) Loss of lives b) State three effects of tidal waves
ii) Damage to coastline c) Mention three effects of tidal waves
iii) Destruction of properties on Elmina.
iv) Pollution of water and land
3. a) Differentiate between high tide and
In Ghana, the effects of tidal waves are flood tide.
immense on coastal area such as Keta, b) What is the difference between low
Ada, Elmina, etc. tide and neap tide?
c) Describe how the moon and the
Effects of tidal waves in Ghana sun bring about low and high tides.
1. Tidal waves have eroded the coastline
and damaged most buildings and other
structures.
2. They have made the soil infertile by
depositing infertile soil and chemicals
on fertile land.
3. They have washed away most road
networks closed to the sea.
4. They have made coastal areas
inhabitable.
5. Tidal waves have destroyed the
livelihood of people, especially
fishermen who rely on the sea for their
source of food and income.

261

You might also like