What differentiates neap tides from spring tides?

Neap tides are characterized by their occurrence when the sun and the moon are positioned at right angles to each other in relation to the Earth. This alignment reduces the gravitational pull on the oceans, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides compared to other times. The sun's gravitational pull partially cancels out the moon's pull during these periods, which is why the tide variations are less extreme.

In contrast, spring tides, which occur during full and new moons, exhibit the highest high tides and the lowest low tides. The alignment of the sun and moon is more direct during these phases, enhancing their combined gravitational pull on the oceans. The incorrect options reflect misconceptions about the timing and characteristics of the tides. For instance, neap tides do not occur during a full moon but rather during the first and third quarters of the lunar cycle.