What causes tides?

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth’s oceans. The Moon has a stronger effect because it is closer to Earth. The gravitational force causes water to bulge on the side of Earth facing the Moon and the opposite side, creating high tides. As Earth rotates, different areas experience these tidal bulges, resulting in two high tides and two low tides each day. The Sun’s gravity also influences tides, leading to higher “spring tides” when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align, and lower “neap tides” when they form a right angle.