Which tidal condition occurs when the Sun and Moon are aligned on the same side of Earth?

Which tidal condition occurs when the Sun and Moon are aligned on the same side of Earth?

• A. Neap tide
• B. The regular rise and fall of the ocean's surface influenced by the moon
• C. Water bulges toward Moon
• D. Spring tide

Answer: (D)

When the Sun and Moon line up with Earth in a straight line, their gravitational pulls reinforce each other on the oceans. The Sun’s gravity, adding to the Moon’s, creates a larger rise and a larger fall—this stronger tidal range is a spring tide. This alignment happens during the new-moon phase (Moon between Earth and Sun) and during the full-moon phase (Sun and Moon on opposite sides), but the key idea is that the aligned pulls produce the biggest tides.

When the Sun and Moon line up with Earth in a straight line, their gravitational pulls reinforce each other on the oceans. The Sun’s gravity, adding to the Moon’s, creates a larger rise and a larger fall—this stronger tidal range is a spring tide. This alignment happens during the new-moon phase (Moon between Earth and Sun) and during the full-moon phase (Sun and Moon on opposite sides), but the key idea is that the aligned pulls produce the biggest tides.