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Multiple Choice
Which of the following stages of the Moon is most closely associated with the occurrence of spring tides?
A
New Moon
B
Full Moon
C
First Quarter
D
Third Quarter
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of spring tides: Spring tides occur when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun align, leading to higher high tides and lower low tides. This happens during the New Moon and Full Moon phases.
Review the Moon phases: The New Moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, and the Full Moon occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Moon and the Sun. Both alignments result in combined gravitational forces.
Eliminate incorrect options: The First Quarter and Third Quarter phases do not align the Moon and Sun's gravitational forces, as they are at right angles to each other during these phases, leading to neap tides instead of spring tides.
Focus on the correct options: The New Moon and Full Moon phases are the ones most closely associated with spring tides due to the alignment of gravitational forces.
Conclude that both the New Moon and Full Moon phases are correct answers for the occurrence of spring tides, as they both result in the strongest tidal effects.