A Time for Tides

Science

The attractive force between all objects that have mass

Gravity

The attractive force between all objects that have mass. Gravity is the natural force that pulls objects toward each other, like how the Earth pulls us downward.

A coastal area covered by the highest of the high tides, mostly exposed to air

High-intertidal zone

A coastal area covered by the highest of the high tides, mostly exposed to air. high-intertidal zone. The high-intertidal zone is the part of the shore that gets covered by the sea only during the highest tides.

The shoreline between high and low tide

Intertidal zone

The shoreline between high and low tide. Intertidal zone. The intertidal zone is the area where the ocean meets the land and is covered by seawater at high tide and exposed to air at low tide.

A water current parallel to the shoreline

Longshore current

a water current parallel to the shoreline. longshore current. A longshore current is a movement of water along the coast caused by waves hitting the shore at an angle.

A coastal area exposed to air at the lowest of low tides and is primarily marine in character

Low-intertidal zone

A coastal area exposed to air at the lowest of low tides and is primarily marine in character. Low-intertidal zone. This zone is where the ocean meets the land and is mostly underwater, but it's exposed to air during the very lowest tides.

A coastal area regularly exposed and submerged by average tides

Mid-intertidal zone

A coastal area regularly exposed and submerged by average tides. Mid-intertidal zone. The mid-intertidal zone is where the ocean meets the land and is covered by water only part of the time due to the tides.

Coastal wetlands that form in intertidal areas

Mudflats

Coastal wetlands that form in intertidal areas. Mudflats. Mudflats are flat, muddy areas that form because of the deposits of silt and clay in coastal regions, often exposed during low tide.

The tide with the smallest difference between high and low tide

Neap tide

The tide with the smallest difference between high and low tide neap tide. Neap tide occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun are perpendicular to each other, resulting in weaker tidal forces.

A swift current that flows from a sandbar to deeper water

Rip current

A swift current that flows from a sandbar to deeper water. Rip current. It is a strong, narrow flow of water that moves directly away from the shore, posing a danger to swimmers.

The area along coastline that is regularly splashed, but not submerged by ocean water

Splash zone

The area along coastline that is regularly splashed, but not submerged by ocean water. Splash zone. The splash zone is the part of the shore where ocean water frequently hits but doesn't stay underwater.

A tide with the greatest range between high and low tides

Spring tide

A tide with the greatest range between high and low tides. spring tide. Spring tide occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, causing higher high tides and lower low tides.

Area close to the shore, where ocean waves break

Surf zone

Area close to the shore, where ocean waves break. Surf zone. The surf zone is where ocean waves crash and foam as they reach the beach.

A wave formed by an incoming tide funnelling into a river or narrow bay

Tidal bore

A wave formed by an incoming tide funnelling into a river or narrow bay. Tidal bore. A tidal bore is a large wave that travels up a river or bay as the tide rises, pushing water upstream.

The difference in height between the high tide and low tide

Tidal range

The difference in height between the high tide and low tide. Tidal range. Tidal range is the vertical difference between the ocean's surface at high tide and low tide.

The daily rise and fall of the water level in the oceans

Tide

The daily rise and fall of the water level in the oceans. tide. Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans.