Which tides are typically weaker because the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to the Earth?

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

Answer: (B)

Tides depend on how the Sun’s and Moon’s gravitational pulls combine on the Earth. When the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth, their tug partially cancels each other, so the overall gravitational effect is weaker. This produces smaller differences between high and low tides, known as neap tides. The Moon is at first or third quarter during these times, which is when the right-angle configuration occurs.

Spring tides, by contrast, happen when the Sun and Moon align (full or new moon), adding their pulls and creating stronger tides. High tide and low tide describe specific moments in the tidal cycle, not the overall strength of tides, so they don’t describe the weaker condition described here.