The Moon and Tides

Which statement about the Moon's orbit is true?

• The Moon rotates in the opposite direction than it orbits Earth.

• The Moon is in synchronous rotation as it orbits Earth.

• The Moon is in a geosynchronous orbit around Earth.

• The Moon's orbit is aligned with Earth's orbit.

From the observation that the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, one can conclude that

• the Moon completes two rotations each time it completes an orbit around Earth.

• the Moon does not rotate.

• the Moon completes one rotation each time Earth rotates.

• the Moon completes one rotation each time it completes an orbit around Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is synchronous rotation?

• a body’s rotation rate that changes with orbital distance

• a body’s rotation rate that does not change with time

• a body’s rotation rate that is equal to its orbital period

• a body’s rotation rate that is equal to its parent planet’s rotation rate

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

How do the tides slow the rotation of Earth?

• Tidal bulges generate drag forces between Earth and its water, slowing its rotation.

• Tidal bulges move mass away from the center of Earth, slowing its rotation like a figure skater.

• The tip in the Moon’s orbital plane makes moving the tidal bulges away from the equator more difficult.

• Alternating high and low tides create a wobble in Earth’s rotation.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

There is a permanent dark side of the Moon.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Earth's rotation is being gradually slowed by the Moon's gravity.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

The Sun causes tides on Earth in addition to the Moon.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Solar tides are not as strong as lunar tides mostly because the Sun is much farther away than the Moon.

• True

• False

We can think of the high tide on the side of Earth opposite the Moon as a result of the Moon pulling Earth away from the water.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The spring tides occur in spring seasons and the neap tides in autumn.

• True

• False