Question

How do the tides help us? Mention its advantages.

Answer 1

Tides are used to generate a type of energy called tidal energy.It also ensures safe in and out of ships from the harbours

Answer 2

Tides are the waves caused due to the gravitational pull of the moon and also sun(though its pull is very low). The rise is called high tide and fall is called low tide. This building up and receding of waves happens twice a day and causes enormous movement of water. It is so powerful that it has caused many mishaps and resulted in sinking of ships. Thus tidal energy forms a large source of energy and can be harnessed in some of the coastal areas of the world. Tidal dams are built near shores for this purpose. During high tide, the water flows into the dam and during low tide, water flows out which result in turning the turbine.

Advantages of tides
1)  It is an inexhaustible source of energy.2)  Tidal energy is environment friendly energy and doesn't produce greenhouse gases.3)  As 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by water, there is scope to generate this energy on large scale.4)  We can predict the rise and fall of tides as they follow cyclic fashion.5) Efficiency of tidal power is far greater as compared to coal, solar or wind energy. Its efficiency is around 80%.6)  Although cost of construction of tidal power is high but maintenance costs are relatively low.7)  Tidal Energy doesn’t require any kind of fuel to run.8)  The life of tidal energy power plant is very long.9)  The energy density of tidal energy is relatively higher than other renewable energy sources.