In oceanography, spring tides with the greatest tidal range occur under which alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon?

Introduction / Context:
Tides are periodic rises and falls of sea level caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth oceans. Among different types of tides, spring tides are those with the greatest tidal range, meaning very high high tides and very low low tides. This question tests your knowledge of the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon that produce these strong spring tides.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are asked about the alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon when spring tides occur.
• Options describe different positions such as all in one line or at right angles.
• We assume standard understanding of new moon and full moon phases and basic tidal theory.

Concept / Approach:
Spring tides occur during new moon and full moon phases when the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun act in line along the same direction or opposite directions, effectively reinforcing each other. This happens when the three bodies lie approximately in a straight line, a configuration known as syzygy. In contrast, neap tides with lower tidal ranges occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth. Therefore, the correct alignment for spring tides is that the Moon, Sun and Earth are nearly colinear.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that spring tides are associated with new moon and full moon conditions. Step 2: At new moon, the Sun, Moon and Earth are nearly in a straight line, with the Moon between Earth and the Sun. Step 3: At full moon, the line is similar but the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon. Step 4: In both cases, the gravitational pulls of the Sun and Moon combine along roughly the same line, giving maximum tidal range. Step 5: Compare this understanding with the options and identify the statement that describes the three bodies in the same line. Step 6: Select the option stating that the Moon, the Sun and the Earth are in the same line.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by remembering diagrams from school geography books that label spring tides at new moon and full moon with aligned Sun, Earth and Moon. In the same diagrams, neap tides at first and third quarter phases are shown with the Sun and Moon forming a right angle as seen from Earth. Therefore, the correct option for spring tides must involve a straight line alignment, not a right angle.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The sun is closest to earth: The distance variation of Earth from the Sun (perihelion and aphelion) affects seasons but does not directly define spring tides in the simple way described here.
The moon is farthest from earth: While distance affects tidal height slightly, spring tides are mainly defined by alignment, not just distance being far or near.
The earth is at right angles with the sun and the moon: This describes the configuration for neap tides with minimum tidal range, not for spring tides.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent confusion is mixing up spring tides with neap tides or assuming spring tides are linked to the season spring. The term spring here actually means to rise, not the season. To avoid confusion, remember that spring tides occur when gravitational pulls line up in a straight line, causing the tide to spring higher, while neap tides occur when the pulls are at right angles and partially cancel each other.

Final Answer:
Spring tides occur when the moon, the sun and the earth are in the same line, so that their gravitational effects reinforce one another.