What type of tide occurs midway between spring tides and attains the least height?

The correct answer is neap tide, which occurs when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are at right angles relative to the Earth, leading to the least tidal height. This happens approximately twice each lunar month, specifically during the first and third quarters of the Moon. During neap tides, the range between high tide and low tide is minimized, resulting in lower-than-normal high tides and higher-than-normal low tides.

Understanding the context of tides helps clarify why neap tides are positioned between spring tides, which occur when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun align, resulting in the highest tidal ranges. Conversely, high and low tides simply reflect the peaks and troughs of the water levels during this cycle but do not specify the lesser height characteristic of neap tides. Thus, neap tides uniquely represent the midpoint of tidal amplitude, achieving the least height among tidal types.