Which tide occurs during new and full moon phases due to alignment of Sun, Moon, and Earth?

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

Answer: (A)

When the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up, tides become strongest because their gravitational pulls combine. During new moon and full moon phases, the Sun and Moon are on the same line with Earth, so their forces reinforce each other and push ocean water higher on the highs and lower on the lows. This bigger difference between high and low water is called a spring tide. The word spring here isn’t about the season; it just means a larger tidal range.

During quarter moons, the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth, so their pulls partially cancel each other, leading to smaller tides, known as neap tides. High tide and low tide describe the daily points in the tide cycle, not the amplified range that occurs during alignment.