Which Moon phases are associated with spring tides?

Which Moon phases are associated with spring tides?

• A. First Quarter
• B. Third Quarter
• C. New Moon and Full Moon
• D. New Moon

Answer: (C)

Spring tides happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are lined up, so the Sun’s gravity and the Moon’s gravity combine to pull ocean water in the same direction. This alignment occurs during the new Moon and the full Moon, producing higher high tides and lower low tides. The first and third quarters put the Sun and Moon at right angles to Earth, which weakens the overall tidal range (neap tides), so they don’t produce spring tides.

Spring tides happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are lined up, so the Sun’s gravity and the Moon’s gravity combine to pull ocean water in the same direction. This alignment occurs during the new Moon and the full Moon, producing higher high tides and lower low tides. The first and third quarters put the Sun and Moon at right angles to Earth, which weakens the overall tidal range (neap tides), so they don’t produce spring tides.