Science Common Sense

1001 - How does the moon affect the tides?

The moon affects the tides by pulling on the Earth's oceans with its gravity. Here's how it works:

1. The moon's gravity pulls on the water in the oceans, creating a "bulge" in the water.
2. This bulge is the highest on the side of the Earth that's facing the moon.
3. There's also another bulge on the side of the Earth opposite the moon, because the moon is also pulling on the Earth itself, which in turn pulls on the water.
4. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the planet experience these two bulges, creating high and low tides.

Think of it like when you're in a swimming pool and someone jumps in - it creates a wave that moves through the water. The moon's gravity is like that person jumping in, but on a much bigger scale!