PLS I REALLY NEED HELP If the relative positions of the sun and moon affect the ocean’s tides, why would it be helpful for sailors and other people who work on the ocean to understand patterns in the Earth-sun- moon system?

Gravitational gradient fields add together constructively, leading to extra strong tides (high tide is extra high and low tide is extra low). This alignment happens when the moon is a new moon or a full moon, which occurs about every two weeks.

I mean I don’t really know scientifically, but if you think about it rationally, you can impose that the gravitational force can affect certain tides depending on the relativity. So if the earth is on its far orbit, furthest away from the sun, maybe the tide could change due to a weaker gravitational force. Although I am unsure.