tide-generating forces

Tide-generating forces are the natural influences that cause the rise and fall of ocean tides. They are primarily driven by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's waters. As these celestial bodies move, their gravity pulls the water, creating bulges, or high tides, on the side of the Earth facing them and the opposite side. Meanwhile, areas between these bulges experience low tides. The alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun also affects the strength and timing of the tides, resulting in variations like spring and neap tides throughout the lunar cycle.