Neap tides occur when the Moon is which position relative to the Earth-Sun line?

• A. The Moon is between the Sun and Earth
• B. The Moon is perpendicular to the Earth
• C. The Sun is behind the Moon
• D. The Moon is in line with the Earth and Sun

Answer: (B)

Neap tides happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth form a right angle, so the Sun’s gravity partly cancels the Moon’s gravity on the oceans. In this setup the Moon is positioned perpendicular to the Earth-Sun line, which typically occurs around the first and third quarter phases. Because the gravitational effects don’t add up as strongly, high tides are lower and low tides are higher, giving a smaller tidal range. When the Moon, Earth, and Sun are aligned, their gravity produces stronger tides called spring tides.