Earth, Moon and Sun: Tides and Seasons Flashcards

Tides

The changing level of the ocean on the shoreline, cause by the pull of the moon and the sun on the oceans' water level

High tide

When the waves reach the highest point on the shore (2x a day)

Low tide

When the waves reach the lowest point on the shore (2x a day)

Spring tide

The highest high tide & lowest low tide - when the sun, moon and Earth are lined up (2x a month)

Neap tide

The lowest high tide & highest low tide - when the sun, moon and Earth make a right angle (2x a month)

Orbit

The path one object moves around another object in a roughly circular motion

Revolution

Circular motion around another object.

Year

Time it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun once;

One orbit of the Earth

Rotation

Spinning on an axis, circular motion of an object.

Day (24 hours)

Time it takes the Earth rotates on its axis once

Axis

The line around which an object rotates

Tilt

The angle made by a planet's axis and a line drawn perpendicular to the planet's orbit around the sun.

Seasons

Temporary climate changes caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis changing angle of sunlight as the Earth revolves around the sun

Winter Solstice

When a hemisphere (northern or southern) is tilted AWAY from the sun. Occurs in December for the Northern Hemisphere.

Summer Solstice

When a hemisphere (northern or southern) is tilted TOWARDS the sun. Occurs in June for the Northern Hemisphere.

Vernal Equinox

When the axis of Earth is not tipped toward or away from the sun. Both hemispheres of the Earth receive equal amounts of daylight and darkness. Occurs in March for the Northern Hemisphere.

Autumnal Equinox

When the axis of Earth is not tipped toward or away from the sun. Both hemispheres of the Earth receive equal amounts of daylight and darkness. Occurs in September for the Northern Hemisphere.

Hemisphere

One half of the Earth, North and South of the Equator or East and West of the Prime Meridian.

Gravity

A force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses.

Seasons

Earth has seasons because because its axis is tilted as it revolves around the sun.

Ebb Current

The flow of water seaward during a decrease in the height of the tide

Flood Current/Tide

Inflow of water when the ocean's water level rises.