explain what causes spring and neap tides, and identify the phases of the moon when these tides occur. be…

Brief Explanations:

Spring tides occur when the Sun, Earth, and moon are in a straight - line (during full and new moon phases). The combined gravitational pull of the Sun and moon on Earth's ocean water causes higher high - tides and lower low - tides. Earth's crust also experiences slight deformation. Neap tides occur when the Sun and moon are at right angles to each other (first and third quarter moon phases). The gravitational forces partially cancel each other out, resulting in lower high - tides and higher low - tides. The effect on Earth's crust is less pronounced compared to spring tides.

Answer:

Spring tides occur during full and new moon when Sun, Earth, and moon are in line, causing more extreme tides and crustal deformation. Neap tides occur during first and third quarter moon when Sun and moon are at right angles, resulting in less extreme tides and less crustal deformation.