Spring tides refer to
- A.greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides
- B.lowest difference in the sea level at high and low tides
- C.no difference in the sea level at high and low tides
- D.counteraction of gravitational pull of the Sun to that of Moon
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides. Spring tides have the highest high tides and the lowest low tides, so the tidal range is at its greatest.
Tides are caused mainly by the Moon's gravitational pull, helped by the Sun's. On new moon and full moon days the Sun, the Moon and the Earth lie in a straight line, a position called syzygy, and their pulls add together. This happens twice a month, so spring tides come about every fortnight. The name has nothing to do with the season; it comes from the idea of the water "springing up".
B is wrong: the lowest tidal range belongs to neap tides, on the first and last quarter moons.
C is wrong: there is always some difference between high and low tide.
D is wrong: the Sun's pull working against the Moon's, at right angles, produces neap tides, not spring tides.
Exam tip: spring tides at new and full moon (bodies in line, greatest range); neap tides at the quarter moons (bodies at right angles, smallest range).
Practice Questions
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