Amplitude of two components for tides.

[aks_sky]

The tidal range of spring tides is about 3.2 m and tidal range of neap tides is about 1.8m,
Assume the only tidal components are m2 and s2 tides. i.e 2 tides per day due to the sun and moon.
Find the amplitude of these components and also find the maximum phase angle between the m2 tides and the observed high tide.

** At this stage i am just looking for how to solve the amplitude question, I have tried the formula of x=A sin (wt + alpha) but i don't think i will be using this equation here. Anybody know what i can use to find the amplitude? thank you

 

[motoroller]

Both tides have the same frequency, right? So they add together like one is a sine wave and the other is a cosine wave. You need to be careful which amplitude you assign to which wave.

 

[aks_sky]

Yup they both will have the same frequency but since they go in phase, i can add them up as m2 +s2 and when they are out of phase it will be m2 - s2. Now the only thing is that i don't know how to find the amplitude using that.