Describe how centripetal force and gravity imbalances cause the tides. correct answersThe
imbalance between the centripetal force and force of gravity of the sun and the moon are what
causes tides on earth.
Understand the difference between a lunar day and a solar day. correct answersA solar day is 24
hours long while a lunar day is 50 minutes longer because the moon is moving in its orbit around
earth.
Explain the monthly tidal cycle in terms of the Earth-moon-sun positions and tidal range. correct
answersThe monthly tidal cycle is when roughly every 7 days the earth alternates between the
spring tide and the neap tides. The spring tide is when the E-M-S are aligned, the lunar & solar
bulges constructively interfere and there is a large tidal range. The neap tide is when the E-M-S
are at right angles, the lunar & solar bulges destructively interfere, and there are small tidal
ranges.
Understand how tidal curves record changing sea level. correct answers
Recognize the different types of tidal patterns including diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed. correct
answersDiurmal: 1 high & 1 low tide each lunar day
Semidiurnal: 2 high & 2 low tides each lunar day
Mixed: characteristics of both D & S.D. w/ successive high or low tides having significantly
different heights
Be familiar with the types of tidal currents and their effects. correct answers
Understand the dynamics of the long shore current and longshore drift (LSD). correct
answersLongshore current is the zigzag movement of water along the shore, has speeds up to 4
kilometers and longshore drift is the movement of sediment in a zigzag fashion caused by the
longshore current.
Recognize features of barrier islands, delta, spit, sea arch, etc and describe how these are formed.
correct answers
Know about structure of the beach, backshore, foreshore beach face, summer beach winter beach
correct answers
Explain the differences between the coastal and open ocean in terms of salinity, temperature, and
currents. correct answers
Understand the origin of estuaries and the four major classes of estuaries. correct
answersEstuaries originate from rising sea level that "drowns" what was once land. The four
major classes include: coastal plain estuary, fjord, bur-built estuary, and tectonic estuary.