Spring and Neap Tides

© The Science Duo

Spring & Neap

Tides

Ocean Tides

•

The rising and falling of the ocean’s surface

•

Caused by the gravitational attraction of the Sun
and Moon on the oceans of Earth

•

Important types of tides – high tide, low tide, spring
tide, and neap tide

Multiple Choice

Tides are caused by

• strong winds that blow over ocean waters.
• the interaction of Earth, the moon and the sun.
• the shifting of the plates on the ocean floor.
• variations in the salinity of ocean water

Multiple Choice

Tides are caused by what force from the sun and moon?

• gravitational

• strong

• tidal force

• armed forces

High and Low Tide

•

There are 2 high tides and 2 low tides each day (24
hours)

•

High Tide - occurs when ocean water is at its highest
level during the day

•

Low Tide - occurs when ocean water is at its lowest
level during the day

High Tide

Low Tide

Multiple Choice

As the moon revolves around the earth, the water follows the motion and causes...

• sea levels

• waves and currents

• moon phases

• high tides and low tides

Multiple Choice

High tides and low tides each happen _____ times per day.

• 4

• 2

• 1

• 24

Phases of the Moon

•

Spring tides occur during certain moon phases.

•

Full Moon - the Earth is between the Sun and moon.

•

New Moon - the moon is between Earth and the Sun.

Spring Tide

Phases of the Moon

•

Neap tides occur during certain moon phases.

•

1st Quarter Moon - the moon is at a 90 degree angle to
the Earth.

•

3rd Quarter Moon - the moon is at a 90 degree angle to
the Earth.

Spring Tide

Multiple Choice

What type of tide is it when the moon is in the full moon phase?

• high tide

• low tide

• spring tide

• neap tide

Multiple Choice

Which of the following greatly contribute to high tides?

• earth's gravitational pull on moon

• sun's gravitational pull on moon

• sun's gravitational pull on earth

• moon's gravitational pull on earth

Spring Tide

•

A tide in which the difference between high and low
tide is the greatest

•

Occurs during a New Moon and Full Moon

•

Remember “Spring – Straight” - the Sun, Earth, and
Moon form a straight line

Spring Tide

Neap Tide

•

The least amount of difference between high and low
tides

•

Occurs during a 1stQuarter and 3rdQuarter phase

•

Remember “Neap – Ninety” - the Sun, Earth, and Moon
form a 90 degree angle (right angle)

Neap Tide

Multiple Choice

During a neap tide, the sun, moon, and earth are at a ___________ angle.

• 360 degree

• 23.5 degree

• 45 degree

• 90 degree

Multiple Choice

What is a difference between spring and neap tides?

• Spring tides occur when the earth and sun are IN LINE with the new or full moon. 
• Spring tides occur when moon in 3rd or 1st quarter phases
• Spring tides are LOWER than neap tides
• Spring tides occur in Spring and neap tides can occur in any season

Multiple Choice

What type of tide is shown here?

• High Tide

• Low Tide

• Spring Tide

• Neap Tide

Multiple Choice

Which phase of the moon is represented in this diagram?

• new moon
• first quarter
• full moon
• last quarter/third quarter

Multiple Choice

What type of tide would this arrangement of earth-moon-sun create?

• full moon tide
• new moon tide
• neap tide
• spring tide