Net forces produce accelerations
On moonward side of Earth, gravitational attraction is greater, so particles are accelerated toward moon
On side of Earth facing away from moon, inertial effects related to earth’s circular path exceed gravitational attraction, so particles are accelerated away from the moon
Accelerations perpendicular to earth’s surface are miniscule - on the order of one millionth of Earth’s gravitational attraction
Accelerations parallel to Earth’s surface are more effective – they displace water into two bulges, one on side facing moon & one on side away from moon