The Moon

There are thousands of stars around us at all times, yet we cannot see them during the day. What is the BEST explanation for this phenomenon?

• The stars are only on the side of the Earth that is facing away from the Sun

• The Sun is much closer to the Earth than other stars and appears much brighter, making them impossible to see

• The stars only burn their gases at night

• The Sun in our solar system is the brightest star in the universe and blocks the light of all other stars

Unlike the Sun, the Moon can be seen in both the night and day sky. What reason(s) make this possible?

• The revolution of the Earth around the Moon makes the Moon appear to rise and set

• The Moon orbits around the Earth

• The Moon is closer to the Earth than to the Sun

• The Moon reflects the Sun's light on its surface while orbiting the Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

True or False: The Moon and the Earth orbit in a counterclockwise direction, both rotate on their axis and revolve around the Sun in a counterclockwise direction at the same time.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

During a full moon phase, the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. If the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the Moon is only a quarter the size of the Earth, how is it possible that from Earth we see the face of the Moon completely illuminated?

• It is not possible because the Earth blocks all the light to the Moon in that specific alignment

• This is possible because the Sun's light goes around the Earth and illuminates the Moon

• This would only occur if there were a lunar eclipse

• This is possible because the orbital path of the Moon around the Earth has a 5-degree inclination

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the best explanation for why we only see the near side of the Moon from Earth if the Moon orbits around the Earth?

• The Moon orbits around the Earth but does not rotate

• The Moon orbits around the Earth and rotates on its axis at an extremely fast speed

• The time it takes for the Moon to orbit once around the Earth is the same time it takes to rotate once on its axis

• The Moon's orbital path is elliptical

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

• 24 hours

• 24 days

• 29.5 days

• 365 days

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Based on the following diagram, number (3) represents the Earth while numbers (1) and (2) represent the Moon at different points during its elliptical path around the Earth. Regarding the Moon and its appearance in the sky as seen from Earth, what terms are used to describe numbers (1) and (2)?

• (1) Solar Eclipse (2) Lunar Eclipse

• (1) Synchronous Rotation (3) Asynchronous Rotation

• (1) Perigee (2) Apogee

• (1) Apogee (2) Perigee

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Why does the Moon appear during the day sometimes and at night at other times?

• The Moon rises and sets in a rotating cycle

• The rotation and revolution of the Earth around the Moon

• The Earth reflects light on the surface of the Moon at different times

• The Moon rotates on its axis

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

True or False: The orbital period of the Moon is the same as its rotation period and is known as synchronous rotation.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

True or False: The Moon's orbit is elliptical in nature, and therefore, sometimes the Moon appears larger and smaller in the sky.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1