Tides are caused primarily by the gravitational pull exerted by the moon and the sun on the Earth’s oceans. The moon’s gravitational force pulls water towards it, creating a bulge of water in the ocean known as a tidal bulge. This is why there’s a high tide on the side of the Earth facing the moon.
On the opposite side of the Earth, there is also a high tide. This occurs because the Earth is being pulled toward the moon, and as a result, the water on the far side is left behind, creating another bulge. The areas between the two bulges experience low tides.
The sun also plays a role in the formation of tides, though its effect is less significant than that of the moon due to its greater distance from the Earth. When the sun, moon, and Earth align, which occurs during new and full moons, we experience spring tides, where the tidal range is at its maximum. Conversely, during the first and third quarters of the moon, when the sun and moon are at right angles concerning the Earth, we experience neap tides, which result in a smaller tidal range.
In summary, the complex interplay of gravitational forces from the moon and the sun, along with the rotation of the Earth, is what leads to the cyclical rise and fall of ocean levels known as tides.