BR 12/16

Explain how the synchronous rotation of the Moon affects the way we see it from Earth.

• It causes the Moon to appear larger during certain times of the year.

• It results in the same side of the Moon always facing Earth.

• It leads to the Moon having different phases.

• It causes the Moon to have a faster rotation speed than Earth.

Answer explanation

The synchronous rotation of the Moon means it takes the same time to rotate on its axis as it does to orbit Earth, resulting in the same side always facing us. This is why we only see one hemisphere of the Moon from Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Analyze how the tilt of Earth's axis contributes to the changing seasons.

• The tilt causes the Earth to move closer to the Sun during summer.

• The tilt results in varying angles of sunlight, affecting temperature and daylight.

• The tilt causes the Earth to rotate faster during certain seasons.

• The tilt has no effect on the seasons; they are caused by Earth's distance from the Sun.

Answer explanation

The tilt of Earth's axis leads to varying angles of sunlight throughout the year, which affects temperature and daylight duration, causing the changing seasons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Evaluate the impact of the Moon's gravitational pull on Earth's tidal patterns.

• It causes tides to occur only during the day.

• It results in two high tides and two low tides each day.

• It has no effect on tides; they are caused by Earth's rotation.

• It causes tides to be higher during the winter months.

Answer explanation

The Moon's gravitational pull creates two high tides and two low tides each day due to its position relative to Earth, leading to the cyclical nature of tidal patterns.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Discuss the differences between solar and lunar eclipses and their causes.

• Solar eclipses occur when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, while lunar eclipses occur when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth.

• Solar eclipses occur when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth, while lunar eclipses occur when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.

• Both types of eclipses occur when the Sun is between the Earth and the Moon.

• Eclipses are caused by the Earth's rotation and have no relation to the positions of the Sun and Moon.

Answer explanation

Solar eclipses occur when the Moon is positioned between the Sun and the Earth, blocking sunlight. In contrast, lunar eclipses happen when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Strategize how the revolution of Earth around the Sun affects the length of a year.

• It causes the year to be exactly 360 days long.

• It results in a year being approximately 365.25 days, leading to leap years.

• It has no effect on the length of a year; the year is determined by Earth's rotation.

• It causes the year to be longer during the summer months.

Answer explanation

The revolution of Earth around the Sun defines a year as approximately 365.25 days. This extra 0.25 days accumulates, necessitating leap years to keep our calendar aligned with Earth's position in its orbit.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Analyze how spring and neap tides are formed and their differences.

• Spring tides occur during full and new moons, while neap tides occur during quarter moons.

• Spring tides occur during quarter moons, while neap tides occur during full and new moons.

• Both spring and neap tides occur randomly throughout the month.

• Spring tides are higher than neap tides because they occur during the summer.

Answer explanation

Spring tides occur when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned during full and new moons, resulting in higher tides. Neap tides occur during quarter moons when the sun and moon are at right angles, leading to lower tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Evaluate the temperature differences between the Moon and Earth and their causes.

• The Moon is warmer than Earth because it is closer to the Sun.

• The Moon has more extreme temperatures due to its lack of atmosphere.

• The Earth is cooler than the Moon because it rotates faster.

• The Moon and Earth have similar temperatures because they are in the same solar system.

Answer explanation

The Moon experiences more extreme temperatures because it lacks a significant atmosphere to regulate heat. In contrast, Earth's atmosphere helps maintain a more stable temperature range.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Explain the reasoning behind the different phases of the Moon as observed from Earth.

• The phases are caused by the Moon's rotation on its axis.

• The phases result from the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.

• The phases are due to the Earth's shadow covering the Moon.

• The phases occur because the Moon emits its own light.

Answer explanation

The phases of the Moon are caused by the relative positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun. As the Moon orbits Earth, different portions of its surface are illuminated by the Sun, creating the observable phases.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Discuss how the Earth's revolution around the Sun influences the occurrence of eclipses.

• Eclipses occur more frequently when Earth is closer to the Sun.

• The revolution causes eclipses to occur at predictable intervals.

• Eclipses are random and not influenced by Earth's revolution.

• The revolution has no effect on eclipses; they are caused by the Moon's rotation.

Answer explanation

The Earth's revolution around the Sun creates a predictable pattern for eclipses, as the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun occurs at regular intervals, leading to solar and lunar eclipses.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Analyze the role of the Sun's gravitational pull in the formation of tides on Earth.

• The Sun's gravity has no effect on Earth's tides.

• The Sun's gravity, combined with the Moon's, causes variations in tidal ranges.

• The Sun's gravity causes tides to occur only during the day.

• The Sun's gravity is the sole cause of tides on Earth.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that the Sun's gravitational pull, along with the Moon's, influences tidal ranges. While the Sun does affect tides, it is the combination of both celestial bodies that creates the observed variations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-4