The correct answer is option 2: 12 hours 26 minutes.

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth`s oceans. The time gap between two successive tides is known as the tidal cycle.

Option 1: 12 hours - This option is incorrect because it does not consider the additional minutes that make up the tidal cycle.

Option 2: 12 hours 26 minutes - This option is the correct answer. It takes into account the full duration of the tidal cycle, which is approximately 12 hours and 26 minutes. This time frame is based on the average time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth and return to the same position relative to a specific point on the Earth`s surface.

Option 3: 24 hours - This option is incorrect because it assumes that the tidal cycle is equal to a full day. However, the tidal cycle is shorter than 24 hours.

Option 4: 24 hours 52 minutes - This option is incorrect because it overestimates the duration of the tidal cycle. The actual duration is shorter than 24 hours.

In conclusion, option 2 - 12 hours 26 minutes - is the correct answer as it accurately represents the time gap between two