Moon Phases Notes

Open Ended

Why does the Moon look like it's changing shape?

Multiple Choice

What causes the different phases of the Moon as seen from Earth?

• The Earth's shadow on the Moon

• The Moon's rotation on its axis

• The Moon's orbit around the Earth

• The Earth's orbit around the Sun

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of 'orbit'?

• The path an object follows as it moves around another object.

• To send back light from a surface.

• The path light takes when it reflects.

• The movement of the Earth around the Sun.

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of 'reflect'?

• The path an object follows as it moves around another object.

• To send back light from a surface.

• The path light takes when it reflects.

• The movement of the Earth around the Sun.

Multiple Choice

What percentage of the Moon's surface is always lit by the Sun?

• 25%

• 50%

• 75%

• 100%

Open Ended

Explain how the angle of viewing affects the phase of the Moon we see from Earth.

Multiple Choice

Why do we see different phases of the Moon?

• Because the Moon changes shape

• Because of the Earth's shadow

• Because of the Moon's orbit around Earth

• Because of the Sun's position

Multiple Choice

What do the terms waning and waxing mean?

• Waning means growing, waxing means shrinking

• Waning means shrinking, waxing means growing

• Waning means darkening, waxing means lightening

• Waning means increasing, waxing means decreasing

Open Ended

Describe the difference between a waning crescent and a waxing crescent moon.

Multiple Choice

What is a crescent moon phase?

• When the lit part is more than half

• When the lit part is exactly half

• When the lit part is less than half

• When the Moon is fully lit

Multiple Choice

What is a quarter moon phase?

• When the moon is fully lit

• When half of the moon is lit

• When the moon is not visible

• When the moon is more than half lit

Open Ended

Explain the difference between the first quarter and third quarter moon phases.

Multiple Choice

What is a gibbous moon phase?

• When the moon is less than half lit

• When the moon is more than half lit

• When the moon is fully lit

• When the moon is not visible

Open Ended

Describe the difference between waxing and waning gibbous moon phases.

Multiple Choice

How long does it take for the Moon to orbit the Earth one time?

• One week

• Two weeks

• One month

• Two months

Multiple Choice

What is the phase of the Moon when a sliver of light is visible on the right side from Earth?

• New Moon

• Full Moon

• Waxing Crescent

• Waning Crescent

Open Ended

Explain how the position of the Moon affects the phase we see from Earth.

Multiple Choice

What phase is the Moon in when it appears completely dark from Earth?

• New Moon

• Full Moon

• First Quarter

• Last Quarter

Open Ended

Why does the Moon look like it's changing shape?