Which statement about tides is true?

Which statement about tides is true?

• A. Tides are caused by the Sun's gravity only.
• B. Tides are caused by the Moon's gravity pulling on Earth's oceans, creating high and low tides.
• C. Tides are caused by weather patterns
• D. Tides do not exist on Earth

Answer: (B)

Tides come from gravity. The Moon’s gravity pulls on the oceans, creating bulges on the side of Earth that is closest to the Moon and on the opposite side as well. As Earth rotates, coastlines move into and out of these bulges, causing high tides when a bulge is under a coast and low tides in between. The Sun also pulls on the oceans, which can strengthen or weaken tides, but its effect is smaller because it is much farther away. Weather patterns don’t create the regular rise and fall of sea level known as tides. So the Moon’s gravity pulling on Earth’s oceans is the main cause, with the Sun’s gravity playing a supplemental role.

Tides come from gravity. The Moon’s gravity pulls on the oceans, creating bulges on the side of Earth that is closest to the Moon and on the opposite side as well. As Earth rotates, coastlines move into and out of these bulges, causing high tides when a bulge is under a coast and low tides in between. The Sun also pulls on the oceans, which can strengthen or weaken tides, but its effect is smaller because it is much farther away. Weather patterns don’t create the regular rise and fall of sea level known as tides. So the Moon’s gravity pulling on Earth’s oceans is the main cause, with the Sun’s gravity playing a supplemental role.