Question

Combined Effects of the Moon and Sun (with fortnightly period of 14 days).

How does the sun's tide-producing force combine with the moon's tide-producing force to create this twice monthly tide?

Answer 1

The combined effects of the Moon and Sun create the twice monthly tides on Earth. When the Sun and Moon are aligned, their tide-producing forces reinforce each other, resulting in higher spring tides. Neap tides occur when the Sun partially cancels the tides of the Moon.

Step-by-step explanation:

The combined effects of the Moon and the Sun create the twice monthly tides on Earth. The tides we experience are a result of the larger effect of the Moon and the smaller effect of the Sun. When the Sun and Moon are aligned (at new moon or full moon), their tide-producing forces reinforce each other, resulting in higher tides called spring tides.

On the other hand, when the Moon is at first or last quarter (at right angles to the Sun's direction), the tides produced by the Sun partially cancel the tides of the Moon, resulting in lower tides called neap tides.

The actual tides experienced also depend on factors such as the shape of coasts and ocean basins.