How Do Tides Work - Earth Science Lab Worksheet printable pdf download

Name: __________________________

How Do Tides Work?

(Earth Science, 2003 Internet Investigation)

Date: _____________ Period: ______

Procedure

1. Open up Internet Explorer and in the address line type the following:

2. In the “Enter Keycode” box, type ES2406 and hit Enter.

3. Begin the investigation and answer the following questions. Use complete sentences. ANSWERS

MUST BE ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER OR ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET!!!

Questions

Step 1: Tides at the Bay of Fundy

Examine the image and read the text. (No answer necessary)

Step 2: Observing Phases of the Moon

1. What is the phase of the moon on October 17, 2001?

2. What is the phase of the moon on October 24, 2001?

3. Consider the locations of the sun and moon with respect to Earth on each date, and hypothesize how

their alignment and gravitational forces might affect tides on Earth.

4. Predict the effect the moon's phase had on the level of the high tide and the low tide on October 17.

Explain your reasoning.

5. Predict the effect the moon's phase had on the level of the high tide and the low tide on October 24.

Explain your reasoning.

Step 3: Observing Tides at Cape Porpoise Harbor, October 17, 2001

6. Describe the changes in tidal levels that occurred on October 17.

7. At what times did the highest and lowest tides occur? (Look at the pictures for the time.)

8. There are roughly two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours. At what time do you think the next

high tide occurred?

Step 4: Observing Tides at Cape Porpoise Harbor, October 24, 2001

9. Describe the changes in tidal levels that occurred on October 24.

10. At what times did the highest and lowest tides occur?

11. Predict when the next low tide occurred.

Step 5: Making Observations and Predictions with a Tide Chart

12. Did the high tides occur at the same time on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24? Why or why not?

13. Predict the changes in tide levels you would have seen at Cape Porpoise Harbor October 31, 2001.

Real-Time Tide Data

Go to the following website:

14. Click on the state of Florida (FL) on the U.S. map.

15. Click on “Port Manatee.”

16. The top chart is the water level observations and predictions for this site. List the predicted date and

time of the next low tide. Each mark is one hour.

17. Click the Back button in the browser window.

18. Click on “Fort Myers.”

19. List the predicted date and time of the next low tide at this site. Each mark is one hour.

20. Even though both sites are on the west coast of Florida, explain why low tide does not occur at the same

time.

How Do Tides Work - Earth Science Lab Worksheet