Question

why are high tides higher than normal and low tides lower than normal during a new moon?
the suns gravity pulls on the oceans more than the moons gravity.
during a new moon, the moons gravity doesnt affect the earth or the oceans.
when the moons light is absent, the ocean water temperature decreases drastically and is not affected by the pull of gravity.
gravity from both the sun and the moon pulls on the oceans from the same side of the earth.

Explanation:

To determine the correct explanation for why high tides are higher and low tides are lower during a new moon, we analyze each option:

1. "The sun’s gravity pulls on the oceans more than the moon’s gravity."

The moon’s gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans is stronger than the sun’s (even though the sun is more massive, it is much farther away). So this is incorrect.

1. "During a new moon, the moon’s gravity doesn’t affect the earth or the oceans."

The moon’s gravity always affects Earth and its oceans (it is the primary cause of tides). This is incorrect.

1. "When the moon’s light is absent, the ocean water temperature decreases drastically and is not affected by the pull of gravity."

Tides are caused by gravity, not ocean temperature. Temperature changes do not eliminate gravitational effects on tides. This is incorrect.

1. "Gravity from both the sun and the moon pulls on the oceans from the same side of the earth."

During a new moon, the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned (moon is between Earth and sun). Thus, the gravitational pulls of the sun and moon act in the same direction (from the same side of Earth for the tidal force on the near side of Earth, and the combined gravity also creates a stronger "bulge" on the far side due to inertia). This alignment (syzygy) causes spring tides, where high tides are higher and low tides are lower than normal.

Answer:

Gravity from both the sun and the moon pulls on the oceans from the same side of the earth.