Energy output readings from tidal power plants in the ocean are low one day compared to the rest of the month. which event is the most likely cause? neap tides rip currents light winds spring tides

Neap tides

Explanation

Energy output from a tidal power plant depends on the tides generated in the ocean.

In this extraction of energy carried by the tides, one of the most important factor is the height of a wave is an important factor in determining how much energy a wave contains. A wave’s height is the difference between its highest point (the crest), and its lowest point (the trough). Greater the difference bigger is the energy carried by the wave.

Let us consider each option one by one.

Neap tides: These are the tides just after the first or third quarters of the moon when there is the least difference between high and low water.

Rip currents: It is a relatively strong, narrow current flowing outward from the beach through the surf zone and presenting a hazard to swimmers.

Light winds: Ocean waves are caused by wind moving across the surface of the water. And that in turn will help to extract more energy.

Spring tides: It is a tide just after a new or full moon, when there is the greatest difference between high and low water. So it will help to generate maximum amount of energy.

From the above explanation we can see that Neap tides could be one of the most likely reasons for low energy output from tidal power plants in the ocean.