Which term describes the mass flow of water linked to the passage of tidal crests or troughs?

• A. Tidal Bore
• B. Tidal Current
• C. Neap Tide
• D. Slack Water

Answer: (B)

The mass flow of water tied to the passage of tidal crests and troughs is described by tidal current. Tides raise and lower sea level as the Moon and Sun pull on the oceans, and the horizontal movement of that water—the flood current when the tide is rising and the ebb current when it’s falling—constitutes a tidal current. This term specifically captures the actual flow of water, not just the changing height.

Other options don’t describe this ongoing horizontal movement: a tidal bore is a rare surge that moves upstream in some rivers; slack water is the brief pause between flood and ebb when current is minimal; and a neap tide refers to a period of smaller tidal range due to the geometry of the Moon-Sun alignment.