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Why the ocean has tides
Discover how the invisible dance between the Moon, Earth, and Sun shapes our coastlines. Explore the mechanics of gravity, the mystery of bulges, and how tides affect life on Earth.
4 chapters74 assets
by nic · Jul 30, 2026
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Chapter 1
The cosmic tug of war
1How the Moon pulls on the ocean
2The mystery of the second tidal bulge
3How Earth spins through the water
4How the barycenter shapes our orbit
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Chapter 2
The Sun enters the dance
1When gravity joins forces during alignments
2The gravitational tug of war at right angles
3The Sun's surprisingly weak tidal power
4How extreme king tides are created
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Chapter 3
Coastal shapes and local rhythms
1How the Bay of Fundy amplifies tides
2Where the ocean stands completely still
3The three distinct rhythms of the tide
4How tidal bores surf up narrow rivers
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Chapter 4
Tides and the web of life
1How intertidal organisms survive extreme shifts
2How tides shaped early human history
3How modern engineers harvest moon energy
4How ancient tides helped life reach land
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