Equilibrium
Theory of Tides
v Equilibrium theory
of tides combines the
fundamentals of Newtonian celestial
gravity and inertia mechanics and a rotating
Earth to predict the tides
v Equilibrium theory
assumes that
ü Ocean surface is at
equilibrium with ____forces acting
upon it
ü Idealized bottomless ocean column
ü No landmass
obstructions
ü No Coriolis
effect
v Equilibrium theory
of tides predicts
ü Two tidal
bulges
ü Two highs and low
tides per day
ü Tidal amplitudes of
less than 1 meter
v Equilibrium theory
fails to predict:
ü Two-meter plus
tides
ü Diurnal and mixed
tide patterns
ü Slow tidal wave
velocities
ü Amphidromic rotary
tide movements
Concepts