How Do Tides Work?

Most people are already familiar with the idea of high and low tides, but where do they come from? What causes this movement and why does it occur with such regularity? Tune in as Josh demystifies the rise and fall of the sea.

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on the HowStuffWorks team to explore - and explain - the everyday science in the world around us on BrainStuff.

[idkicantthinkofaname]

I am drowning at this very moment and someone showed me this video so thanks for informing me on how the tides work and how they are killing me

[bobross]

0:21 - 0:27 That went from 0 to 100 real fast their buddy.

[madirivas]

My science teacher showed me this video and the first sentences had me shook because yes, your first thought as you watch someone drown before your eyes is, "how do tides work, " not "do they need help? Do I need to call someone?"

[Maddsrach]

Me: *at beach*

Random man: *is buried deep in sand*

Me: *looks at random man buried in sand*

Random man: I have lived my life. Now it's time to say good bye...

Me:Sir the moon isn't in the right place for a high tide to drown you.

Random man: :/

[deliabailey]

Now I can finally sound like an expert on the tide to a drowning person!

[WAGNERMJW]

No. Logic failure. Your example of "moon at top creating a high tide at the bottom" with your rationale being that the "earth is pulled away from the water and toward the moon" fails both logic and physics. The southern ocean is not anchored to something so that the earth can be pulled away from it. Whatever gravitational pull the moon has upon the earth it also has on the water such that the water should, can, and does, flow in both physical and density terms, cyclically chasing the source(s) of the extraterrestial gravitational pull in constant marginal distribution of the majority of the oceans volumetrically toward the source (s) of gravitational pull. If there is a high tide on the side opposite the moon then it is due entirely to a gravitational source on that side, or some as yet unknown physical law or power offsetting the moon's influence.

[katewoodward]

Thanks - that was a really great explanation both for me (46 yrs old) and my son who is learning about tides (10 yrs old!)

[drrrck]

This video is actually incorrect. Check out PBS spacetime's video on it to see a corrected version. It is the gravitational pull of the moon, but in an entirely different way.

[amandaprovines]

So, I am creating a D&D campaign based largely underwater, and this is explained in Cerulean Seas. I am a visual learner though and this video helped me to have a better understanding of what I had previously read and was unable to comprehend. So, thanks. :)

[terencecleric]

Amazing! Every words you just said: was wrong. The tidal forces are not pulling, but pushing forces. Imagine gravity as a tube formed packing net with two oranges inside the tube, on different ends. The tubular packing net symbolizes the gravity. When you pull the net, it will trying to squeeze the orange inside, the tidal forces are working this way. The Moon's gravitational force squeezes the facing circumference of the Earth, this causes rising ocean on the facing and the opposite side. You also can check the wikipedia, it helps you to understand the tidal forces. Note: tidal forces are working between each masses in the space, they also can shatter an entire celestial body, if the opposing celestial body is massive enough, and the lighter one steps through the heavier one's Roche limit, and no other forces keeps the less massive body together than the gravity.

[maxeyvisuals]

"And you can explain tides to that person as they wait to die."



....HAHAHAHA

[KeziahA]

*Me seeing a guy drowning because of the tide* “I wonder how tides work.”

[kalicat]

I've got a question. I know that tummy grumbling is usually a sign oh hunger or an upset stomach, but how does it make those noises?

[obe]

Tide goes in tide goes out. You CAN explain that

[donwilli]

Uh, I believe Bill O'Reilly already answered this question. "Tides go in. Tides go out. You can't explain it."

[LaosPride]

this really helped me with my science project on tides i get how tides work now thanks so much keep making videos ill subscribe till next time bro

[lolkillermoon]

Thank you so much I passed my science test from this

[tianamik]

i'm having a project on tides and this has helped me so much!! thankyou :)

[DiabolicaLuke]

i liked the fact that you also explained that tidal waves are not related to the tide!
fun fact: japanese for tidal wave is...tsunami :)

[andy]

I am a homeschool parent. My daughter is learning about space and the moon right now. We just watched your video on how tides work and we loved it! Thank you! We have subscribed to your channel.