In 3-5 sentences, explain how gravity causes Earth's tides.
1 answer
Gravity plays a key role in causing Earth's tides through the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. The moon's gravitational force causes the water on Earth's surface to bulge towards the moon, creating high tides. As Earth rotates on its axis, this bulge moves around the planet, causing high tides in different locations. The sun also contributes to the tides, although to a lesser extent due to its greater distance from Earth compared to the moon. Together, the combined gravitational forces of the moon and sun create the regular patterns of high and low tides that we observe.