For a month, a student observed the tides at a local beach. The student recorded the heights of the high and low tides relative to the average water level. Some of the readings are shown in the table.

Question

For a month, a student observed the tides at a local beach. The student recorded the heights of the high and low tides relative to the average water level. Some of the readings are shown in the table.

Reading Relative Height
of High Tide (m) Relative Height
of Low Tide (m)
1 4.5 -1.3
2 1.1 0.5
3 2.0 0.2
4 3.4 -0.7

Which reading was most likely recorded when the Moon was closest to Earth?

(1 point)
Responses

1
1

2
2

4
4

3
3
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

The reading that was most likely recorded when the Moon was closest to Earth is Reading 1, with a relative height of 4.5m for the high tide. When the Moon is closest to Earth (at its perigee), tides tend to be higher than usual, so the high tide height would be greater.