Spring and Neap Tides

Spring and Neap Tides

Middle School

​

Learning Objectives

• Define tides and identify the main causes of their occurrence.

• Explain why the Moon’s gravity has a greater effect on tides than the Sun’s.

• Describe the daily cycle of high tides and low tides on Earth.

• Differentiate between spring tides and neap tides and their planetary alignments.

Key Vocabulary

​

Tides

The daily rise and fall of the ocean's surface, mainly caused by the Moon's and Sun's gravity.

​

Gravitational Pull

The force of attraction between any two objects with mass, which is the reason for tides on Earth.

​

Tidal Range

The difference in height between the ocean level at high tide and the level at low tide.

​

Spring Tide

A tide with the largest tidal range, which happens when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are aligned.

​

Neap Tide

A tide with the smallest tidal range, occurring when the Earth, Moon, and Sun form a 90-degree angle.

​

​

What Are Tides?

• Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea level.

• They are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.

• The Moon's pull is stronger because it is much closer to Earth.

• This creates two high tides and two low tides each day.

​

Multiple Choice

What is the primary cause of Earth's ocean tides?

• The gravitational pull of the Moon

• The gravitational pull of the Sun

• The rotation of the Earth

• Strong winds blowing over the ocean

​

​

Spring Tides vs. Neap Tides

• Spring tides have the greatest tidal range, with very high and low tides.

• They occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align during a full or new moon.

• Neap tides have the smallest tidal range, with less difference between high and low tides.

• They occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a 90° angle.

Multiple Choice

Under which condition do spring tides, the tides with the greatest tidal range, occur?

• When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line.

• When the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a 90° angle.

• Only during the spring season.

• When the Moon is at its first or third quarter phase.

​

Common Misconceptions About Tides

Misconception	Correction
Spring tides only happen in the spring season.	These tides occur all year during new and full moons.
The Sun has a bigger effect on tides than the Moon.	The Moon is closer, so its gravitational pull is about twice as strong.
Every place has two equal high tides and two equal low tides per day.	Local factors like coastline shape can cause variations in tides.

Multiple Choice

During a neap tide, the tidal range is at its smallest. Why does this happen?

• The gravitational pulls of the Sun and Moon work against each other.

• The gravitational pulls of the Sun and Moon combine to be stronger.

• The Earth is farthest from the Sun.

• The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.

Multiple Choice

How does the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun differ between spring tides and neap tides?

• The alignment is a straight line for spring tides and a 90° angle for neap tides.

• The alignment is a 90° angle for spring tides and a straight line for neap tides.

• The Sun is not a factor in neap tides.

• The Moon is not a factor in spring tides.

Multiple Choice

If you observe a first quarter moon in the sky, what type of tide should you predict is occurring on Earth?

• A neap tide with a small tidal range.

• A spring tide with a large tidal range.

• An unusually high tide.

• No tides at all.

Multiple Choice

During a full moon, the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a straight line. What is the combined effect of the Sun's and Moon's gravity on Earth's oceans at this time?

• Their gravitational forces combine, leading to a spring tide with a large tidal range.

• Their gravitational forces counteract each other, leading to a neap tide with a small tidal range.

• Only the Moon's gravity affects the tides.

• The tides are average and have no special characteristics.

​

Summary

• Tides are the daily rise and fall of sea levels, caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.

• The Moon has a greater impact on tides than the Sun because it is much closer to Earth.

• Most coastal areas experience two high tides and two low tides each day.

• The alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun creates spring tides with the largest tidal range and neap tides with the smallest.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4