Tides

What are spring and neap tides?

• Spring tides occur when the sun and moon are aligned, causing higher tides, while neap tides occur when the sun and moon are at right angles, causing lower tides.

• Spring tides occur when the sun and moon are at right angles, causing lower tides, while neap tides occur when the sun and moon are aligned, causing higher tides.

• Spring tides and neap tides are the same, occurring when the sun and moon are aligned.

• Spring tides and neap tides are the same, occurring when the sun and moon are at right angles.

Answer explanation

Spring tides occur when the sun and moon are aligned, resulting in higher tides due to their combined gravitational pull. Neap tides happen when they are at right angles, leading to lower tides as their gravitational effects partially cancel out.

Fill in the blank: A ______ is the regular rise and fall of the ocean's surface influenced by the moon's gravity pulling on earth.

• tide

• wave

• current

• ripple

Answer explanation

A tide is the regular rise and fall of the ocean's surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on Earth. Waves, currents, and ripples are different phenomena and do not describe this specific movement of water.

Fill in the blank: A ______ tide occurs when the difference between high and low tide is greatest.

• spring

• neap

• ebb

• flood

Answer explanation

A spring tide occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon and sun align, resulting in the highest high tides and lowest low tides, creating the greatest difference between them.

Fill in the blank: A ______ tide occurs when the difference between high and low tide is least.

• neap

• spring

• high

• low

Answer explanation

A neap tide occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon and sun are perpendicular, resulting in the smallest difference between high and low tides. This is why 'neap' is the correct answer.

What causes daily tides?

• The rotation of the Earth

• The gravitational pull of the Moon

• The position of the Sun

• The wind patterns

Answer explanation

Daily tides are primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon. As the Moon orbits Earth, its gravity pulls on the oceans, creating bulges that result in high and low tides.

Locations with tidal bulges have high tide and locations between the bulges have low tide. True or False?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Tidal bulges occur due to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, creating high tides at those locations. Areas between the bulges experience low tides, confirming the statement.

Use Models: Place the moon or an X in the correct position to complete each model. Refer to the diagram provided.

• Place the moon in the correct position.

• Place an X in the correct position.

• Both moon and X are correct.

• Neither moon nor X is correct.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is to place the moon in the correct position, as it aligns with the model requirements. The X does not fit the criteria specified in the diagram.

What is a spring tide?

• The highest high tide and the lowest low tide

• A tide that occurs during the first and third quarters of the moon

• A tide that occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles

• A tide that occurs only in the spring season

Answer explanation

A spring tide occurs when the sun and moon are aligned, resulting in the highest high tides and the lowest low tides. This alignment happens during full and new moons, not just in spring.

Identify the diagrams as neap tide or spring tide. Which type of tide is shown in the diagram?

• Neap tide

• Spring tide

Answer explanation

The diagram represents a neap tide, which occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles relative to the Earth, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides. This is distinct from spring tides, which have more extreme tidal ranges.

Suppose a neap tide is occurring right now. Choose one of the following ways to make a prediction about when the next spring tide will occur. Write a press release stating and explaining your prediction.

• The next spring tide will occur in about 7 days.

• The next spring tide will occur in about 14 days.

• The next spring tide will occur in about 21 days.

• The next spring tide will occur in about 28 days.

Answer explanation

A neap tide occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles, leading to lower tidal ranges. Spring tides, which have higher ranges, occur approximately every two weeks. Therefore, the next spring tide will occur in about 14 days.