Question: the greatest range between consecutive high and low tides occurs at which lunar phase
Answer: The most extreme tidal range occurs during spring tides , when the gravitational forces of both the Sun and Moon are aligned ( syzygy ) , reinforcing each other in the same direction ( ( new moon ) ) ) or in opposite directions ( full moon ) . During neap tides , when the Moon and Sun 's gravitational force vectors act in quadrature ( making a right angle to the Earth 's orbit ) , the difference between high and low tides is smaller .