Around 4th July each year, when the Earth is farthest from the Sun, tidal ranges are much less than average. This phenomenon is called _________?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Aphelion
The Earth’s orbit round the Sun is an ellipse, so its distance from the Sun changes through the year. The position farthest from the Sun, reached around 4 July, is called aphelion (about 152 million km). The Sun’s pull on the oceans is then a little weaker, so the tidal ranges are less than average.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Perigee — Incorrect. It is the point where the Moon is nearest to the Earth; tidal ranges are then larger than usual.
Option (2) Apogee — Incorrect. It is the point where the Moon is farthest from the Earth, not the Earth from the Sun.
Option (3) Perihelion — Incorrect. It is the Earth’s position nearest to the Sun, around 3 January, when tidal ranges are greater than average.