Over to the Moon

What would be one simple way to model the pattern of how the moon changes in the Earth-sun-moon system?

• Rotate around a bare light bulb while holding a ball in front of your body.

• Stand outside and track the movement of the moon using a video camera.

• Paint several spheres with all the moon phases, and line them up in a row.

• Create a moondial that is similar to sundials used by some ancient people.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which of these accurately describes the moon’s behavior in the Northern Hemisphere?

• It appears to grow from the left then shrink to the right.

• It appears to shrink from the right then grow to the left.

• It appears to grow from the right then shrink to the left.

• It appears to shrink from the left then grow to the right.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The moon seems to change from a full moon to crescent shapes back to a full moon over the course of

• one year.

• two weeks.

• about a month.

• a single season.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What are two patterns that the moon seems to have that most other celestial objects do not?

• a single season and a horizontal axis

• changing shape and varied rising and setting times

• shape of orbit and lack of weather patterns

• vertical axis and lack of orbital plane

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the phase of the Moon when it is completely illuminated as seen from Earth?

• New Moon

• Full Moon

• First Quarter

• Last Quarter

Answer explanation

The phase of the Moon when it is completely illuminated as seen from Earth is the Full Moon, making it the correct choice.

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

4.9B

Design an experiment to observe and record the phases of the Moon over a month. What materials would you need and what steps would you follow?

• Materials: Telescope, notebook, pen. Steps: Observe the Moon every night, record the date and phase, and compare the observations over a month.

• Materials: Microscope, notebook, pen. Steps: Observe the Moon every night, record the date and phase, and compare the observations over a month.

• Materials: Camera, notebook, pen. Steps: Observe the Moon every night, record the date and phase, and compare the observations over a month.

• Materials: Binoculars, notebook, pen. Steps: Observe the Moon every night, record the date and phase, and compare the observations over a month.

Tags

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

4.9B

What Moon phase is this?

• Last Quarter

• New Moon

• Third Quarter

• First Quarter

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which phase of the Moon occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun?

• Full Moon

• New Moon

• First Quarter

• Last Quarter

Answer explanation

The New Moon phase occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, making it not visible from Earth.

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

4.9B

Why is the moon visible from Earth?

• The moon reflects light from Earth’s surface.

• Sunlight that hits the moon is reflected off its surface.

• The moon produces its own illumination when heated by the sun.

• The moon produces light similar to the sun’s light, but not as strong.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

At any moment, the sun shines on how much of the moon?

• all of the moon

• half of the moon

• a quarter of the moon

• three-quarters of the moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1