Tidal Power - GCSE Physics Definition
Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll
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Tidal power is a way of generating electricity by using the energy from the movement of tides in the sea. As the tides come in and go out, they move large amounts of water. We can capture this movement and turn it into electricity using special machines like turbines. Tidal power is a renewable energy source, which means it won't run out and doesn't cause pollution once the infrastructure is built, making it good for the environment. It relies on the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun, which cause the sea levels to rise and fall. This predictable pattern makes tidal power a reliable source of energy. However, constructing tidal power plants can disrupt habitats and damage marine life. They can also only be placed where there are strong enough tides, which means harnessing tidal power is limited in some areas.
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