Search Header Logo
Solar Eclipse Concepts and Calculations

Solar Eclipse Concepts and Calculations

Assessment

Interactive Video

Physics

9th - 10th Grade

Practice Problem

Hard

Created by

Thomas White

FREE Resource

The video tutorial discusses the problem of calculating the size of the penumbra during a solar eclipse. It explains the orbital dynamics of the Earth and Moon, and how their distances affect the angular size of the Sun and Moon. The tutorial provides a detailed calculation of the penumbra size, corrects an error in the initial calculation, and demonstrates a back-of-the-envelope method for estimation. It also discusses the duration of solar eclipses and mentions future eclipse events. The video concludes with information on upcoming physics problems and encourages viewer participation.

Read more

9 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the main question discussed in the introduction of the Eclipse problem?

The speed of the Moon's orbit

The duration of a solar eclipse

The size of the penumbra during a solar eclipse

The distance between the Earth and the Sun

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What shape is the Earth's orbit around the Sun?

Circular

Elliptical

Rectangular

Triangular

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

When is the angular size of the Sun at its maximum?

During a new moon

When the Sun is farthest from Earth

When the Sun is closest to Earth

During a lunar eclipse

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the relationship between the angular sizes of the Sun and Moon for a total solar eclipse to occur?

The Sun's angular size must be larger

The Moon's angular size must be larger

The Sun's angular size must be smaller

Both must be equal

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the tangent of half the angle alpha used to calculate in the penumbra size?

The radius of the Earth divided by the distance to the Moon

The radius of the Sun divided by the distance to the Earth

The radius of the Sun divided by the distance to the Moon

The radius of the Moon divided by the distance to the Sun

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the error in the initial calculation of the penumbra diameter?

Incorrect distance to the Sun

Incorrect radius of the Moon

Wrong angle measurement

Slip of the pen in writing the distance

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How can a back-of-the-envelope calculation help in estimating the penumbra size?

By using only the radius of the Earth

By eliminating the need for calculations

By offering a rough estimate

By providing an exact measurement

Access all questions and much more by creating a free account

Create resources

Host any resource

Get auto-graded reports

Google

Continue with Google

Email

Continue with Email

Classlink

Continue with Classlink

Clever

Continue with Clever

or continue with

Microsoft

Microsoft

Apple

Apple

Others

Others

Already have an account?