Moon influences tides on Earth from "summary" of A Short History of Nearly Everything: Special Illustrated Edition by Bill Bryson
The Moon, as we all know, is our constant companion in the night sky. But what many of us may not realize is that the Moon also exerts a powerful influence on our planet Earth. One of the most remarkable manifestations of this influence is the tides. The tides, those rhythmic movements of the sea that have fascinated humans for centuries, are directly linked to the Moon. The Moon's gravitational pull on Earth is the force responsible for the tides. As the Moon orbits Earth, its gravity causes the water in the oceans to bulge out in the direction of the Moon. This creates what we know as high tide. At the same time, on the opposite side of the Earth, there is another bulge of water in the oceans, caused by the centrifugal force of the Earth-Moon system. This results in a second high tide. The areas in between the two high tides experience low tide. The cycle of high tide followed by low tide repeats itself approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes, as the Moon completes its orbit around the Earth. The Sun also plays a role in the tides, with its gravitational pull adding to the effect of the Moon. When the Sun and Moon are aligned, during a full moon or new moon, their combined gravitational pull results in higher high tides and lower low tides, known as spring tides. Conversely, when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other, during the first and third quarters of the Moon, their gravitational forces partially cancel each other out, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides, known as neap tides. It is truly fascinating to think about the intricate dance of the Earth, Moon, and Sun that gives rise to the ebb and flow of the tides. The tides not only remind us of the interconnectedness of all things in the universe but also serve as a constant reminder of the Moon's influence on our planet.
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