During a neap tide, which statement is true?

During a neap tide, which statement is true?

• A. The high tides are the highest and the low tides the lowest
• B. The high tides are the lowest and the low tides the highest
• C. Tides are not affected
• D. The tides disappear during neap tides

Answer: (B)

Tides are driven by gravity from the Moon and the Sun, and their combined pull changes as the Sun, Moon, and Earth align differently. During neap tides, the Sun’s gravity acts at right angles to the Moon’s gravity relative to Earth. This partial cancellation reduces the overall height difference between the highest and lowest tides. So high tides become lower than usual and low tides become higher than usual. That means the description “the high tides are the lowest and the low tides the highest” accurately reflects neap tides.

Tides are driven by gravity from the Moon and the Sun, and their combined pull changes as the Sun, Moon, and Earth align differently. During neap tides, the Sun’s gravity acts at right angles to the Moon’s gravity relative to Earth. This partial cancellation reduces the overall height difference between the highest and lowest tides. So high tides become lower than usual and low tides become higher than usual. That means the description “the high tides are the lowest and the low tides the highest” accurately reflects neap tides.