Why does the moon affect the tide?

The moon effects the tide because of gravity. Basically the moon is literally pulling the ocean towards it. This is called the tidal force. This is a very interesting thing that happens here. In layman' terms the moon wants to fall to the earth, as well the earth wants to fall on the moon. Because these forces are in relative balance the moon very gradually is pushed away from the Earth. As this happens the moon literally pulls on the Earth, as well the Earth pulls on the moon. It is balance a two way street.

The most interesting thing is that when the moon pulls it literally pulls the oceans towards it. I think perhaps it also has potential to churn our liquid inner core. That is controversial however. For one the Earth is bigger than the moon, so why would the moon not be hot. However if you understand that the moon can move the oceans even the crust moves. New scientific instruments found this out. It literally rises and falls. So the moon is actually pulling a bulge towards it. Water is interesting as with the tides the earth is attempting to hold on to the ocean but it cannot because it is liquid. So the tides get pulled more than anything else. As the moon retreats slowly the tides will reduce in power. I find it interesting that Mars has not moon of any mass, it does have two moons but they are tiny. I think a moon is the partner to life on this planet, and all others. As it helps churn life up so to speak.