Ocean Tides

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the topic of ocean tides, the periodic rise and fall of the ocean waters due to the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the surface of the earth. It looks at what causes tides, what are high and low tides, the different types of tides, the phenomenon of tidal currents and waves, the effect of tides on the coastlines and on fishing and how tides can be harnessed for energy. It also discusses other areas in which knowledge of tidal data can prove useful.

Outline
What Causes Tides?
High and Low Tides
Lunar and Solar Tides
Tidal Period
Spring and Neap Tides
Diurnal, Semi-Diurnal and Mixed Tides
Effect of Tides on Coastlines
Effect of Tides on Fishing
Tides in Gulf of Mexico and the Texas Gulf Coast Regions
Tidal Energy
Other Applications

From the Paper:

"The gravitational force of the earth at its surface acts in an inward direction towards its center. This force keeps the ocean (and other) waters confined to the surface. At the same time, the gravitational force of the moon and the sun exert an outward pull on the surface of the earth. Since the earth solid surface is a rigid body, it remains relatively unaffected by this "pull." However, the ocean waters, being liquid and less rigid, are physically pulled outwards towards the moon and the sun by their gravitational force. This outward pull is not uniform over the earth's surface since the gravitational force of the moon (or the sun) acts on the side of the earth facing it. Hence "high tide" is produced in the ocean waters by the "heaping" action resulting from the horizontal flow of water towards regions of the earth facing the moon or the sun."

More papers on Ocean Tides:

• Research Paper # 96702 : "Oceanography"
• Term Paper # 120855 : "Moons and Rings of Uranus"
• Term Paper # 119343 : "Hydroelectric Power: The Wave of the Future"

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