What are the primary factors that influence the Earth's tides?

The primary factors that influence the Earth's tides are the Moon, the Sun, and the gravitational force acting on the water in the world's oceans. The Moon is the primary driver of tides because it is so close to the Earth, and its gravitational pull is therefore much stronger than that of the Sun. As the Earth rotates, the Moon's gravity causes a bulge of water to form on the side of the Earth facing the Moon, while another bulge of water forms on the opposite side of the planet. These bulges create a high tide on the side closest to the Moon, and another high tide on the opposite side of the Earth. The Sun also plays a role in creating tides, but its effect is much weaker than that of the Moon. When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are all in line, their combined gravitational pull creates a stronger tide, called a spring tide. When the Moon is at a right angle to the Sun, the gravitational force of the Sun partially cancels out the gravitational force of the Moon, creating a weaker tide, called a neap tide. The geography of the world's oceans and the shape of the coastlines also play a role in creating tides. Coastal bays and estuaries can experience significantly different tides than open ocean locations due to their unique geographic features. In summary, the combination of the Moon's gravitational pull, the Sun's gravitational pull, and the geography of the Earth's oceans all contribute to the complex phenomena of ocean tides.