Exploring the Phases of the Moon

Emily Morgan introduces a simple activity to understand moon phases using a lamp, foam ball, and a dark room. The lamp represents the Sun, the foam ball the Moon, and your head the Earth. As the foam ball orbits your head, different moon phases are demonstrated: new moon, crescent, quarter, gibbous, and full moon. The phases depend on the Moon's position in its orbit around Earth, taking about a month to complete. Additional resources are available for further learning.

What does the lamp represent in the moon phase activity?

• The Earth

• The Moon

• The Sun

• A star

What do you need to create a dark environment for the moon phase activity?

• A lampshade

• Sunglasses

• A dark room

• A dark curtain

Which material represents the moon in the activity?

• A lamp

• A dark room

• A white foam ball

• A pencil

What is the significance of using a lamp without a shade in the moon phase activity?

• To simulate the Sun's light

• To hold the foam ball

• To represent the Earth

• To create darkness

Which phase of the moon is visible when none of the lighted side is seen from Earth?

• Full moon

• Quarter moon

• Crescent moon

• New moon

What is the moon phase called when half of the lighted side is visible?

• Gibbous moon

• Full moon

• Quarter moon

• Crescent moon

During which phase is almost the entire lighted side of the moon visible?

• New moon

• Quarter moon

• Gibbous moon

• Crescent moon

What is the phase called when the lighted side of the moon is starting to decrease after a full moon?

• Quarter moon

• New moon

• Crescent moon

• Gibbous moon

What causes the moon to appear in different shapes throughout the month?

• The Earth's shadow

• The moon's rotation

• Clouds covering the moon

• The moon's orbit around the Earth

How long does it take for the moon to complete its orbit around the Earth?

• About a day

• About a month

• About a week

• About a year