Final answer:
Tides on Earth are caused by the gravitational interaction between the Moon, the Sun, and the Earth. The Moon's gravitational force has a greater effect on tides compared to the Sun. Although the tidal effect of the Sun is smaller, it could still be significant in certain contexts. Scientists and researchers study tides and their effects in the field of oceanography.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tides on Earth are caused by the gravitational interaction between the Moon, the Sun, and the Earth. The Moon's gravitational force has a greater effect on tides compared to the Sun due to the fractional change in distance from the near side to the far side being greater for the Moon. The effect of the Sun on tides is still significant but smaller in comparison.
The tides in some places on Earth can be over 50 feet, while the tidal effect of the Sun, if it had a ten thousandth the effect of the Moon and Sun, would result in a difference of only one twentieth of an inch. Although this may seem small, it could still be significant in certain contexts.
There are scientists and researchers who study tides and their effects. The study of tides falls under the field of oceanography, which is a specific branch of Earth sciences. These scientists analyze various factors that influence tides, such as the positions of celestial bodies, local topography, and ocean floor profiles.