Questions

Now, answer the questions below.

1. Describe the conditions that made a safe trip possible.
   Check Answer
   Tidal ranges are greatest (higher high and lower lows) when the gravitational forces of the sun and moon are at their maximum and working in the same direction. This will happen when the sun is at its closest point to earth (during perihelion in early January) and so is the moon (at perigee), and when the two are in a line with Earth (during the full and new moons).
2. Your sister ship will have to wait to make the same attempt until you unload your cargo and clear the dock. If you leave on a high tide that crests at noon, when should your fellow captain make his move?
   Check Answer
   If the dock becomes clear at noon, the subsequent low tide will follow 6 hours and 12.5 minutes later. So the other captain should try to pass under the bridge just after 6 p.m.