Moon Phases & Tides

Unlock the secrets of ocean tides! Discover how moon phases create high, low, spring, and neap tides in this Grade 8 science activity.

Tides Reviewed Please watch this video if you need to review tides and how they are affected by Moon Phases. Vocabulary Matching Match the term with the best possible definition. High Tide When tides are at their highest elevation Low Tide When tides are at their lowest elevation Spring Tide When tides experience the greatest range between high and low; occur at New and Full Moons Neap Tide When tides experience the least range between high and low; occur at 1st and 3rd Quarter Moons Gravitational Pull The invisible force that exists between all objects that have mass. The greater the mass, the greater the effect of this force Tide The daily change in ocean levels due to the gravitational force of the moon and sun exerted on Earth At which locations would the Earth be experiencing high tide? (mark all that apply) A B C D E F G H At which locations would the Earth be experiencing low tide? (mark all that apply) A B C D E F G H Explain what kind of tides the Earth would be experiencing. Spring Tide because the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned. Neap Tide because the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned. Spring Tide because the Moon is perpendicular to the Sun relative to the Earth. Neap Tide because the Moon is perpendicular to the Sun relative to the Earth. Explain what kind of tides the Earth would be experiencing. Spring Tide because the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned. Neap Tide because the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned. Spring Tide because the Moon is perpendicular to the Sun relative to the Earth. Neap Tide because the Moon is perpendicular to the Sun relative to the Earth. Juan lives near the Pacific Ocean and likes to observe the tides. Juan notices that about twice a month the range between the high and low tide is greater than normal. What is the most likely reason for Juan's observation? The Moon must be closer to the Earth causing a larger change in tides The Sun and Moon are aligned, causing a spring tide The Moon is perpendicular to the Sun relative to earth, causing a neap tide Jupiter is closer in its orbit to Earth What tidal conditions would you expect when the Earth, Sun, and Moon are configured according to the diagram below? Tides with a greater range between high and low tides Tides with a smaller range between high and low tides Only high tides Only low tides Tides sorting Sort the descriptions below into their correct category. Spring Tides Occurs at New Moon Occurs at Full Moon Extremely High Tidal Range Neap Tides Occurs at 1st Quarter Moon Occurs at 3rd Quarter Moon Moderate Tidal Ranges High Low Tides Daily movements of ocean water that change the level of the ocean’s surface. Happen Daily