What causes daily tides?

Daily tides are primarily caused by the Earth's rotation relative to the Moon. As the Earth rotates on its axis, different areas of the planet move in and out of the gravitational influence of the Moon. This gravitational pull creates a bulge in the Earth's oceans, which corresponds to high tide. Conversely, areas that are not under the influence of the Moon will experience low tide.

The cycle of high and low tides typically occurs twice each day due to this relationship between the Earth and the Moon, with tidal ranges affected by the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth as well. While the Moon's gravitational force is a key factor in tide generation, it is the Earth's daily rotation that determines when and where these tides are experienced. This dynamic interaction explains the consistent daily tidal patterns observed along coastlines.