Spring tides occur when which configuration of the Sun, Moon, and Earth exists?

• A. When the Moon is perpendicular to the Earth
• B. When the Sun is between the Earth and Moon
• C. The Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in a straight line
• D. When the Moon is eclipsing the Sun

Answer: (C)

Tides are driven by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans. When their gravitational forces line up in the same direction relative to Earth, they reinforce each other and push the ocean bulges higher and create stronger tides. This happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth lie in a straight line, which occurs during a new moon (Moon between Sun and Earth) and a full moon (Earth between Sun and Moon). Those alignments produce spring tides—larger high tides and lower low tides. When the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth (the quarters), their pulls partially cancel, giving smaller tides called neap tides.