Tides, Gravity and Scaling

Refer to the diagram showing the positions of the Moon around the Earth and the Sun. The greatest difference between high and low tide occurs when the moon is in positions _____ and _____.

• A and D

• B and D

• C and F

• B and E

Answer explanation

The greatest difference between high and low tide occurs during spring tides, which happen when the Moon is aligned with the Earth and Sun. This alignment occurs when the Moon is in positions A and D.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A neap tide occurs when the moon is in position ____ or ____.

• B or D

• A or C

• A or B

• C or E

Answer explanation

A neap tide occurs when the moon is in the first or third quarter phases, which correspond to positions B and D. This alignment results in lower tidal ranges compared to spring tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When the moon is in position D, Earth experiences a ________ tide.

• neap

• spring

Answer explanation

When the moon is in position D, it is aligned with the Earth and the Sun, causing the gravitational pull to be stronger. This results in a spring tide, characterized by higher high tides and lower low tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When the moon is in position E, high tides are _________ than when the moon is in position A.

• the same

• higher

• lower

• less frequent

Answer explanation

When the moon is in position E, it is farther from Earth compared to position A, resulting in lower gravitational pull and thus lower high tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Refer to the diagram showing the positions of the Moon around the Earth and the Sun. Earth experiences a ________ tide when the moon is in position A.

• spring

• neap

• low

• high

Answer explanation

Earth experiences a spring tide when the Moon is in position A, as this occurs during full and new moons when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When the moon is in position A, the difference between high and low tides is ________ than when the moon is in position C.

• less

• greater

• equal

• more frequent

Answer explanation

When the moon is in position A, it is typically aligned with the sun, causing higher high tides and lower low tides, resulting in a greater difference between them compared to position C, where the tides are less pronounced.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Refer to the diagram showing the positions of the moon around the Earth. The greatest difference between high and low tide occurs when the moon is in positions _____ and _____.

• A and D

• B and D

• A and B

• C and D

Answer explanation

The greatest difference between high and low tide occurs when the moon is aligned with the Earth and the Sun, which happens at positions A (new moon) and D (full moon). Thus, the correct answer is A and D.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Refer to the diagram showing the positions of the moon around the Earth. A neap tide occurs when the moon is in position ___ or ___.

• A

• C

• D

• E

• F

Answer explanation

A neap tide occurs when the moon is in positions C or F, which are perpendicular to the line between the Earth and the sun, resulting in lower tidal ranges.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Refer to the diagram showing the positions of the moon around the Earth. When the moon is in position D, Earth experiences a _____ tide.

• neap

• spring

• high

• low

Answer explanation

When the moon is in position D, it is aligned with the Earth and the Sun, causing the gravitational pull to be stronger. This results in a spring tide, characterized by higher high tides and lower low tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When the moon is in position D, high tides are ___ than when the moon is in position A.

• lower

• higher

• the same

• more frequent

Answer explanation

High tides occur due to the gravitational pull of the moon. When the moon is in position D, the gravitational effect is similar to when it is in position A, resulting in high tides that are the same.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1