What is the primary reason for tides on Earth?
Gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun
Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea level. They are caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun, together with the centrifugal effect of the Earth-Moon system's motion.
The Moon's tide-raising force is about twice that of the Sun because the Moon is much closer to the Earth. When the Sun, Moon and Earth are in line, spring (high) tides occur; when they are at right angles, neap (low) tides occur.
Solar energy drives winds and evaporation, while ocean currents and wind patterns move water horizontally; none of these causes the periodic rise and fall of tides.
Hence, the answer is Gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun.
Similar Questions
What is the average salinity of the Indian ocean?
Identify the odd option in relation to the oceanic layers.
What is the average temperature usually in the hills of the western Ghats?
Which of the following oceans is the third-largest ocean in the world?
About ocean floor features:
1. Abyssal plains are vast, flat deep-ocean floors.
2. Oceanic trenches are typically shallow depressions.
Which of the above is/are correct?
Important Questions from Oceanography
The Gulf Stream is found in
Consider the following statements :
1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds
2. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which of the following statement is not correct?
I. Generally, warm ocean currents originate near the equator and flow towards the poles.
II. Gulfstreams are cold water currents.
Which of the following ocean currents does not flow into the Pacific Ocean?
Which one of the following is a cold ocean current ?
