The range of the tides is affected by the relative positions of the sun and the moon. During the new moon and new moon, the highest high tides and the lowest low tides occur. During the first and third quarters of the lunar month, the tidal range gradually increases and decreases between the minimum and maximum values of the range.

Question

anonymous · Answer

*Sketch a graph of a tidal range asa function of time, showing what you think the shape of a tidal cycle might look like for one month. On your graph, indicate where you think each phase of the moon occurs

tkhunny · Answer

Well, do it.  What's a new moon?  What position must the three bodies have to produce this phenomenon?  How about a full moon?

What's the difference between these orderings of the bodies?

Sun --- Moon --- Earth
Sun --- Earth --- Moon

anonymous · Answer

I'm not sure how to graph this which is why I'm asking for help

tkhunny · Answer

I just graphed the two most important cases.  Fix the position of the Sun and the Earth.  Just graph the position of the Moon relative to the Earth.  You can worry about other mechanics at another time.

anonymous · Answer

@tkhunny  So how exactly do you graph it? There's no formula or anything. Is it just however you think it should look?