The main reason we have tides in the ocean is because of the pull of gravity between the Earth and the Moon, as well as the Earth and the Sun. Even though the Sun is much bigger than the Moon, the Moon is closer to Earth, so it has a stronger effect on tides. As the Earth and Moon move around a point in space called the center of mass, they create a force that pulls the water away from the Moon, causing a bump or bulge of water on the opposite side of the Earth. This is why we experience two high tides and two low tides about every day. A neap tide happens when the difference between the high tide and low tide is the smallest. This usually happens twice a month during the lunar cycle when the Sun and Moon are at right angles compared to the Earth.
The primary force responsible for tides is the gravitational attraction between the Earth and the Moon, as well as the Earth and the Sun. The Moon, being much closer to the Earth, has a stronger influence on tides than the Sun, despite the Sun’s larger mass. As the Earth and Moon rotate around a common center of mass a diverging force is also generated. This force contributes to the formation of tidal bulges on the side of the Earth opposite the Moon, leading to two high tides and two low tides roughly every 24 hours. A neap tide occurs when the difference between high tide and low tide is at its lowest. This typically happens twice a month during the lunar cycle, when the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to the Earth.
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