High Tide, Low Tide

11. Spring tides refer to

Spring tides refer to

greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides
lowest difference in the sea level at high and low tides
no difference in the sea level at high and low tides
counteraction of gravitational pull of the Sun to that of Moon
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
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The correct answer is A) greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides.
Spring tides are tidal events that occur twice each lunar month, around the times of the new moon and full moon. During these phases, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned. The combined gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon on Earth’s oceans is strongest, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides than average. The difference between high and low tide sea levels (tidal range) is therefore maximized during spring tides. Neap tides, conversely, occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth (during the first and third quarter moon phases), resulting in smaller tidal ranges.
The term “spring” in spring tide does not refer to the season but rather to the ‘springing forth’ or rising of the tide. Spring tides have the maximum tidal range, while neap tides have the minimum tidal range.

12. Statement I : Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the

Statement I :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth.
Statement II :
The Earth rotates from west to east.

Option text is missing in the image.
Option text is missing in the image.
Option text is missing in the image.
Option text is missing in the image.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2018
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Statement I is true. Tides are indeed caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth’s oceans, combined with the centrifugal force resulting from the Earth-Moon system’s orbit and the Earth’s rotation. Statement II is also true. The Earth rotates on its axis from west to east. However, while Earth’s rotation is an essential component of the tidal mechanism (as it brings different parts of the globe under the influence of the tidal bulges and causes the cyclical rise and fall), the *direction* of rotation (west to east) does not specifically explain *why* the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun cause bulges or how the combination of forces results in tides. It explains *how* the tidal phenomenon moves across the Earth, but not the fundamental cause described in Statement I. Therefore, Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.
Tides are a result of differential gravitational forces acting on the Earth and the inertia of the water. The rotation of the Earth causes locations to pass through the tidal bulges.
The Moon’s gravitational pull is the primary driver of tides due to its closer proximity. The Sun also influences tides, leading to spring tides (when Moon, Sun, Earth align) and neap tides (when Moon, Sun, Earth are at a right angle). Earth’s rotation relative to the tidal bulges creates the cyclical pattern of high and low tides experienced at a specific location.
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