Which of the following positions of Sun, Earth and Moon is/are suitable for Spring Tide? 1. SYZYGY Conjunction 2. SYZYGY Opposition 3. Quadrature Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 only
- (c)1 and 2
- (d)1 and 3
Correct — C, 1 and 2. Spring tides occur at syzygy — when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a straight line — whether in conjunction (new moon) or in opposition (full moon). At these positions the solar and lunar tide-raising forces add up, giving the highest high tides. Quadrature (Moon at right angles) gives neap tides, not spring tides.
- (a)1 only — Incomplete — opposition (full moon), like conjunction, is also a syzygy that produces spring tides.
- (b)2 only — Incomplete — conjunction (new moon) also produces spring tides, not just opposition.
- (d)1 and 3 — Quadrature (statement 3) gives NEAP tides, when solar and lunar forces partly cancel — the opposite of spring tides.
Tides arise from the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun. When the three bodies align (syzygy) at new moon (conjunction) or full moon (opposition), their pulls combine to give SPRING tides (highest range). When the Moon is at right angles to the Sun (quadrature, at the first and third quarters), the pulls partly offset, giving NEAP tides (smallest range).
'Suitable for spring tide' = the aligned (syzygy) positions, which are both conjunction and opposition. Quadrature is the neap-tide position, so statement 3 is excluded. Hence 1 and 2.
- Spring tides occur at syzygy: new moon (conjunction) and full moon (opposition).
- At syzygy the Sun and Moon pulls add together -> highest tidal range.
- Neap tides occur at quadrature (first and third quarters).
- Spring and neap tides each occur about twice a month.
- Thinking only the full moon (or only the new moon) gives spring tides — both do.
- Confusing quadrature (neap) with spring-tide positions.
Asked as which Sun-Earth-Moon positions give spring tides, or distinguishing spring and neap tides.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Neap tides occur when the Moon is at
- (a)new moon
- (b)full moon
- (c)first or third quarter (quadrature)
- (d)perigee
Answer(c) first or third quarter (quadrature).
- practice — not a real PYQ
Spring tides have the
- (a)smallest tidal range
- (b)largest tidal range
- (c)no tidal range
- (d)same range as neap
Answer(b) largest tidal range.