During which condition are Spring Tides observed due to Sun and Moon on the same side of the Earth?

• A. Neap Tide
• B. Semidiurnal Tide
• C. Spring Tide
• D. Diurnal Tide

Answer: (C)

Spring tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned so their gravitational effects reinforce each other. This alignment, called syzygy, happens during new moon and full moon phases: at a new moon the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, and at a full moon the Earth lies between the Sun and Moon. In both cases the solar and lunar tides line up along the same line, producing higher high tides and lower low tides. Neap tides happen when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to Earth, reducing the tidal range. Semidiurnal and diurnal describe how often tides occur each day, not the alignment that causes the bigger range.