Final answer:
Mixed tides, also known as tropical tides, feature two daily high tides of unequal heights due to the gravitational interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Spring tides result in higher tides when the celestial bodies align, while neap tides are lower when the Sun and Moon form a right angle. Other environmental factors also affect tide heights and the occurrence of mixed tides.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Mixed Tides and Tropical Tides
Mixed tides are a type of tide in which the two high waters that occur each day are of different heights. This can be due to the interplay between the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun. We experience two high tides and two low tides every day because the Earth is spinning underneath the opposite tidal bulges caused by the Moon's gravitational pull, and this happens approximately every 12 hours. In the case of mixed tides, sometimes referred to as tropical tides, the height of these tides can vary significantly.
During spring tides, which occur when the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are aligned, the tidal forces of the Moon and Sun work together to produce higher-than-average tides. During neap tides, which happen when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other, the resultant tides are lower than usual. The complexity of tides is further influenced by factors such as land masses, ocean depths, and local topography, which can contribute to the uneven distribution of tide heights that characterize mixed or tropical tides.