Which of the following statements regarding neap tides is/are correct ? 1. It occurs every 14-15 days, which coincides with the first and third quarter of the Moon. 2. This tide has a small tidal range because the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are in quadrature. Select the answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is C, Both 1 and 2. Neap tides come when the Sun and the Moon pull on the Earth at right angles to each other, and that happens at the first and third (last) quarter of the Moon. Since these two phases fall about a fortnight apart, a neap tide comes roughly every 14 to 15 days, with spring tides in between at new moon and full moon. When the two pulls act at right angles, or in quadrature, the Sun's pull partly cancels the Moon's. High tides are therefore lower and low tides higher than usual, so the tidal range is small. Spring tides are the opposite: Sun, Moon and Earth are in a straight line, the pulls add up, and the range is largest. Option A is wrong because it leaves out statement 2, which correctly explains the small range. Option B is wrong because it leaves out statement 1, which is also correct. Option D is wrong because both statements are true. Exam tip: spring tide = new and full moon, pulls in line; neap tide = quarter moons, pulls at right angles, about seven days apart.