Tides vs. Waves

Difference between Tides and Waves Tides and Waves are two natural phenomena with similar characteristics. Tides are rise…

Difference between Tides and Waves

Tides and Waves are two natural phenomena with similar characteristics. Tides are rise and falls of large mass of water happening on a periodic basis. Caused by gravitational forces and interaction between the Moon and the Earth, tides are formed when the Moon, and the Earth  along with the Sun are in linear position.  Waves, on the contrary, are formed by the winds. When the wind begins to slide over the surface of an ocean or a lake, the small ripples are formed and known as waves.

It is to be noted that generally an ocean has two high and low tides each daily. Lakes also have their share of smaller tides once in a while. Waves, on the other hand can be small minor ripple to really huge waves.  Ocean surface wave is name of the wind that causes ripples and huge waves in an ocean.

The formation of these two natural phenomena is different.  The formation of wave depends on the speed of the wind, distance it blows over surface and the area which is affected. The duration of wind blowing over the surface of an ocean also matters a lot along with the depth of water.

On the contrary, tides are formed by water rising to its highest levels due to gravitational forces over the period of several hours.

 

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