PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What phenomenon results from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the ocean?

1. Waves

2. Turbulence

3. Tides

4. Currents

The correct answer is: Tides

The phenomenon that results from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the ocean is tides. Tides are caused primarily by the gravitational forces exerted by these celestial bodies, which create a bulge in the ocean's surface. As the earth rotates, different areas of the planet experience changes in water level due to these gravitational effects, leading to the consistent rise and fall of sea levels known as high and low tides. Waves are generated by wind and other surface disturbances, primarily due to the movement of air over the water's surface, and do not directly relate to the gravitational effects of celestial bodies. Turbulence refers to chaotic or irregular fluid flow, which can occur in water due to various factors but is not specifically linked to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. While currents are movements of water that can be caused by wind, temperature, salinity differences, and tides, they are distinct from the tidal phenomenon itself. Tides specifically involve the cyclic rise and fall of water levels due to gravitational influences.