is a full moon global and why does it make the tide really high.
In: Physics
Full moons are global. There is a very slight difference because people on different sides of the earth see it from a slightly different angle, but you can’t really notice without taking careful measurements with a telescope.
Tides are about 2/3 due to the moon and 1/3 due to the sun, so when the moon and sun work together the tides are more extreme (the highs are higher and the lows are lower). Mostly there are two tides a day, 12h25m apart, so the sun and moon are working together when they’re in opposite parts of the sky (full moon) and also when they’re close together in the sky (new moon). When they’re 90° apart (first and third quarter), they’re acting against each other and you get less extreme tides.
The phase of the moon depends on the relative position of the moon, earth, and the sun so it is identical for all places on earth. When there is a full moon the moon is on the opposite side of the earth than the sun. So all three are in a line.
The tides are a combined effect on the gravitational effect on earth from the sun and the moon. The effect will be the largest when all three are in a line and that is when there is a full or new moon. Both conditions result in the realities tides called a spring tide.
The tide is from the difference in gravity and will result in a water bulge on the side that points to the moon and on the oppside of eath. The sun has the same with a water bulge on the side toward the sun and on the opposite side. The bulge from the sun is smaller than the bulge from the moon. So how high the tide depends on the position of the lunar bulge (caused by the moon) and the solar bulge. IF the are at the same location you have higher tide then if the are nor.
So the lowest tide that is called a neap tide happen when you have a First Quarter orLast Quarter moon. The mon is then 90 degrees from the sun. So the neap tide is a high lunar tide in combination with a low solar tide. Because the lunar tidal effec is stronger you still have a high tide but it is low.
A spring tide is when the high lunar tide and the high solar tide happen at the same time.
Yes, moon phase is global. To understand the phase, hold up a round object and do a slow spin and watch the light move across the surface. It works like that, with the Moon taking 28.5 days to go around the Earth and make a full cycle.
Tides are due to gravity from the Sun and Moon pulling on the oceans. There are a lot of complicating factors, but high tides will be when they’re both aligned at new or full moon.
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