Definition of spring tide

Prepare for the Maine Sea Kayak Test with essential resources. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to ensure you're ready for the exam!

Multiple Choice

Definition of spring tide

Explanation:
Spring tides happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up, so their gravity adds together to pull ocean water in the same direction. During a new moon, the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and during a full moon, the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth; in both situations their gravitational forces reinforce each other, making high tides higher and low tides lower. That combination produces the greatest tidal range, which is why the correct description is the greatest tidal range at new or full moon. The other options are incomplete or incorrect because they single out one phase or claim tides aren’t affected by moon phases.

Spring tides happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up, so their gravity adds together to pull ocean water in the same direction. During a new moon, the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and during a full moon, the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth; in both situations their gravitational forces reinforce each other, making high tides higher and low tides lower. That combination produces the greatest tidal range, which is why the correct description is the greatest tidal range at new or full moon. The other options are incomplete or incorrect because they single out one phase or claim tides aren’t affected by moon phases.

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