Question

Distinguish between waves and tides. ​

Answer 1

Waves are formed when winds blow over the ocean surface. The stronger the wind blows, the bigger the wave becomes. The rhythmic rise and fall of ocean water twice a day is called a tide. The strong gravitational pull exerted by the Sun and moon on the Earth's surface causes the tides.

Answer 2

☯Waves

• A wave is the alternative rise and fall of ocean water caused by the action of wind on the water surface. Particles of water pushed down by the wind come up again and the movement is passed on from one particle to another in the form of a wave. Thus, the particles move perpendicular to the movement of water in a horizontal direction.

• The upper part of a wave is called a crest, while the lower part is called a trough. The vertical distance between a crest and a trough is called wave height. The horizontal distance between two successive crests is called wavelength.

• The size of a wave depends on the speed of the wind. Violent stormy winds may give rise to huge waves, which can cause destruction to life and property.

• Natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can displace large amount of ocean water, giving rise to huge tidal waves called tsunami. The height of these waves can be as high as 150 m, and they travel at a speed of more than 700 km per hour. A tsunami can cause mass destruction over a large area.

☯Tides

• Tides are the rhythmic rise and fall of sa water, at regular intervals, twice a day. They re common in oceans and ses Their influence is also felt wong the lower ones of laare very, close to the sea THE Ocean

• Tides are caused due to the gravitational force exerted by the Moon, the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. The Moon, being closer to the Earth, exerts a greater gravitational force on water bodies.

• The height of the tides is not the same every day. It depends on the relative positions of the Moon and the Sun with respect to the Earth

• During the full Moon and the new Moon, the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are in the same straight line. Their combined gravitational pull causes the greatest difference between the low and high tides, when the water seems to spring forth. Hence, they are known as spring tides. Spring tides occur every fortnight.

• In the first and last quarters of the Moon, the ocean water is pulled in diagonally opposite directions by the gravitational force of the Sun and the Moon. Therefore, the difference between the high and low tide is least, meaning that high tides are a little lower and low tides are a little higher than average Hence, these tides that occur between every spring tide are known as neap tides.

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Note: Refer to the Attachment.