CONVECTION CURRENTS LAB
1: What are tides?
The regular, alternating rise and fall of the sea level.
2: What causes tides? Explain in detail (show diagram)
The gravitational forces of the moon and sun, and the rotation of the Earth tug on seawater and cause it to form into two enormous bulges one either side of the planet, one facing the moon and the other in the opposite direction. These form the basis for the tides.- See pictures above
3: Where do tides occur?
They occur in the ocean. 4: Explain- High and low tides (difference)
High tide is where the sea level floods to its highest level, and low tide is where it ebbs to its lowest level.
5: Which object exerts the most force on the tidal bulge? Why?
The moon exerts the most force because even though it is much smaller, it is also very close to the earth
6: What happens when the sun and moon align? What happens when they are perpendicular to each other?
When they are aligned, their gravity combines to form the largest tides, spring tides, and when they are perpendicular, they form moderate neap tides.
7: What are some of the other factors that affect tides?
Seafloor topography, river discharge and wind and weather conditions
8: What are the zones of the intertidal zone?
The spray zone, the upper intertidal zone, the mid intertidal zone, and the low intertidal zone.
9: What are some of the challenges for the critters of the intertidal zone? Explain.
They have to live without water for periods of hours to sometimes weeks, and endure temperature extremes, sunlight.
10: How do the intertidal organisms cope with the harsh environment?
Often organisms develop tough outsides to hold water and prevent loss of water, scrunch together to preventexposure to sunlight, secrete mucus to use when outside water, close up their shells tightly, hide underneath rocks or in the sand, and/or cement themselves to rocks, sand or each other to protect against waves.
11: What are some of the adaptations that help organisms cope with wave action?
Strong skeletons, hard shells, grippers, hard skin, thick shells, firm roots, flexible stems, sturdy bodies, strong