Spring tides occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned along a straight line.

Spring tides occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned along a straight line.

• A. The Moon is at last quarter
• B. Sun is at noon position
• C. Moon is at first quarter
• D. Sun, Earth, and Moon aligned along a straight line

Answer: (D)

Tides are driven by gravity from both the Moon and the Sun. When their pulls line up in a straight line with Earth, their effects add together, making the tides stronger—high tides higher and low tides lower. This alignment happens during new moon and full moon phases, when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are roughly in a straight line. The option describing this straight-line alignment best captures when spring tides occur, so it’s the correct choice. The other options point to quarter-phase positions, which create weaker tides called neap tides, and the Sun’s position at noon isn’t what drives the tide pattern.

Tides are driven by gravity from both the Moon and the Sun. When their pulls line up in a straight line with Earth, their effects add together, making the tides stronger—high tides higher and low tides lower. This alignment happens during new moon and full moon phases, when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are roughly in a straight line. The option describing this straight-line alignment best captures when spring tides occur, so it’s the correct choice. The other options point to quarter-phase positions, which create weaker tides called neap tides, and the Sun’s position at noon isn’t what drives the tide pattern.