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Earth & Space ScienceGrade 6-8

Tides Answer Key

Understand what causes tides and why they change throughout the day and month.

Looking for Tides answers? This complete answer key provides verified solutions for all student exploration activities and assessment questions in the ExploreLearning Tides Gizmo.

100% Free • Step-by-step explanations • Perfect for homework help • Covers all activities • Updated for 2026

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What Causes Tides

Q1.What causes ocean tides?

Answer

The gravitational pull of the Moon (and to a lesser extent, the Sun) on Earth's oceans.

Q2.Why are there usually two high tides per day?

Answer

One on the side facing the Moon (pulled toward it) and one on the opposite side (inertia creates a bulge there too).

Q3.What's a spring tide?

Answer

Extra-high tides that happen during new and full moons when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned.

Tidal Patterns

Q4.What's a neap tide?

Q5.How long is a tidal cycle?

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