During a ______ tide, low tides are the highest because the Sun, Earth, and the Moon form a right angle.

During a ______ tide, low tides are the highest because the Sun, Earth, and the Moon form a right angle.

• A. Spring
• B. High
• C. Low
• D. Neap

Answer: (D)

During a neap tide, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are about 90 degrees apart. The Moon’s gravity creates two ocean bulges, and the Sun’s gravity also pulls on the oceans. When they are at right angles, the Sun’s pull partially cancels the Moon’s bulges, so the overall tidal range is smaller. That means high tides are not very high and low tides are higher than usual. This contrasts with spring tides, when the Sun and Moon align and their gravitational effects add up, producing higher highs and lower lows.

During a neap tide, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are about 90 degrees apart. The Moon’s gravity creates two ocean bulges, and the Sun’s gravity also pulls on the oceans. When they are at right angles, the Sun’s pull partially cancels the Moon’s bulges, so the overall tidal range is smaller. That means high tides are not very high and low tides are higher than usual. This contrasts with spring tides, when the Sun and Moon align and their gravitational effects add up, producing higher highs and lower lows.