Spring tides occur when the Earth, moon, and sun are positioned in what way?

Spring tides occur when the Earth, moon, and sun are in a straight line. This alignment leads to the combined gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans. When both the sun and the moon are exerting their gravitational forces in the same direction during full moons and new moons, the resulting tidal range is greater than usual. This phenomenon creates particularly high high tides and low low tides, known as spring tides.

The alignment of the moon and sun is crucial because it enhances the overall gravitational effect on the Earth's water. During spring tides, the forces do not just add; they create a larger effect due to their alignment, resulting in the extreme highs and lows of ocean tides. Other arrangements, such as when the moon and sun are at right angles, lead to neap tides, which are characterized by less significant tidal changes. Understanding this alignment is essential for grasping the dynamics of tidal movements and their variations throughout the lunar cycle.