Understanding Moon Phases

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

• The moon changes shape as it rotates

• Earth's shadow falls on different parts of the moon

• The positions of the Earth, moon, and Sun affect what we see

• The moon gets bigger and smaller each month

How does the moon move in relation to the Earth and the Sun?

• It stays in one place while Earth moves

• It orbits around the Earth, which also orbits the Sun

• It moves around the Sun on its own path

• It follows Earth’s exact path around the Sun

What are the names of the different phases of the moon?

• Full, quarter, half, and empty

• Waxing, waning, new, and full

• Sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight

• Big, small, growing, and shrinking

Why do we see only one side of the moon from Earth?

• The other side is always dark

• The moon doesn’t rotate

• The moon rotates at the same speed as it orbits Earth

• Earth blocks the view of the other side

What is a "new moon," and why can't we see it in the night sky?

• The moon is behind the Sun

• The side of the moon that faces Earth isn’t lit

• The moon is hidden by clouds

• It only appears during the day

How long does it take for the moon to complete a full cycle through its phases?

• 7 days

• 14 days

• 29.5 days

• 365 days

What is the difference between a waxing and a waning moon?

• Waxing means getting smaller, and waning means getting bigger

• Waxing means getting bigger, and waning means getting smaller

• Waxing means no light, and waning means full light

• Waxing is in the morning, and waning is at night

Why do we sometimes see the moon during the daytime?

• The moon is reflecting sunlight, which is visible during the day

• The Sun and moon are close together

• The moon shines brighter than the Sun

• Clouds reveal the moon during the day

How do the moon phases affect the ocean's tides on Earth?

• Tides are highest during the full and new moon phases

• Tides are unaffected by the moon phases

• Tides are highest during the crescent and quarter phases

• Tides are highest only during a lunar eclipse

Can you explain how a lunar eclipse occurs and how it relates to the moon’s phases?

• A lunar eclipse happens during the new moon phase

• A lunar eclipse happens when Earth is between the Sun and the full moon

• A lunar eclipse happens when the moon is between Earth and the Sun

• A lunar eclipse can happen during any phase