The tides on Earth are primarily influenced by the gravitational forces exerted by the Sun and the Moon, with the Moon having a stronger effect due to its proximity. Tides occur as a result of the differential gravitational pull on the Earth's oceans, causing water to bulge out in the direction of the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun. Spring tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in alignment during the full moon and new moon phases, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides due to the combined gravitational forces. In contrast, neap tides occur when the Moon is at a right angle to the Sun relative to the Earth, which happens during the first and third quarters of the lunar cycle; this alignment reduces the tidal range, creating lower high tides and higher low tides as the competing gravitational pulls partially cancel each other out.
How does the positions of the Sun and the Moon relate to how the Earth influences tides? What is the force that causes tides? What must occur for the spring tides? What must occur for neap a tides?
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