Alan lives along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. He decides to record the difference between the high and low tides along the shore every day for three months. If Alan is comparing these observations with observations of the lunar cyle, which of the following is he most likely to find?

Question

Alan lives along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. He decides to record the difference between the high and low tides along the shore every day for three months. If Alan is comparing these observations with observations of the lunar cyle, which of the following is he most likely to find?
 A. 
The difference between high and low tide is the least during full moons and new moons.
 B. 
The difference between high and low tide is greatest during last quarter and is the least during first quarter.
 C. 
The difference between high and low tide is greatest during full moons and new moons.
 D. 
The difference between high and low tide is greatest during first quarter and last quarter.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The correct answer is C: The difference between high and low tide is greatest during full moons and new moons.

This is because during the full moon and new moon phases, the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned, leading to higher high tides and lower low tides, a phenomenon known as "spring tides." Conversely, during the first quarter and last quarter phases, the sun and moon are at right angles relative to the Earth, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides, known as "neap tides," which leads to a smaller tidal difference.