LEAP Earth-Sun-Moon System Patterns 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why does the Moon appear to change shape over the course of a month?
- The Moon physically changes size and shape
- Different amounts of the sunlit side of the Moon are visible from Earth (Correct answer)
- Clouds on the Moon block sunlight
- Earth's shadow covers different portions of the Moon each night
Correct answer: Different amounts of the sunlit side of the Moon are visible from Earth
As the Moon orbits Earth, we see varying portions of its sunlit half, creating the appearance of changing phases.
Question 2: A student notices that the Sun rises earlier each morning for several weeks. What season is most likely approaching?
- Winter
- Fall
- Summer (Correct answer)
- Spring has just ended
Correct answer: Summer
As summer approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, Earth's tilt causes the Sun to rise earlier and set later each day.
Question 3: What is the term for the point in Earth's orbit when it is closest to the Sun?
- Aphelion
- Perihelion (Correct answer)
- Equinox
- Solstice
Correct answer: Perihelion
Perihelion is the point in Earth's orbit where it is closest to the Sun, occurring around January 3rd.
Question 4: During a full moon, where is the Moon located relative to Earth and the Sun?
- Between Earth and the Sun
- On the opposite side of Earth from the Sun (Correct answer)
- At a right angle to the Earth-Sun line
- Directly above Earth's North Pole
Correct answer: On the opposite side of Earth from the Sun
During a full moon, Earth is between the Sun and Moon, so the entire sunlit face of the Moon is visible from Earth.
Question 5: Which event occurs when day and night are approximately equal in length all over Earth?
- Summer solstice
- Winter solstice
- Equinox (Correct answer)
- Perihelion
Correct answer: Equinox
During an equinox, Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun, making day and night nearly equal in length.
Question 6: A spring tide occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned. What effect does this have on ocean tides?
- Tides are weaker than normal
- Tides are higher and lower than normal (Correct answer)
- Tides occur only once per day
- Tides stop occurring temporarily
Correct answer: Tides are higher and lower than normal
When the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, the gravitational forces combine to produce spring tides with greater high and lower low tides.
Question 7: How long does it take the Moon to complete one full orbit around Earth?
- 7 days
- 14 days
- About 27–29 days (Correct answer)
- 365 days
Correct answer: About 27–29 days
The Moon takes approximately 27.3 days to orbit Earth, but about 29.5 days pass between identical phases due to Earth's movement around the Sun.
LEAP Earth-Sun-Moon System Patterns 2
Why does the Moon appear to change shape over the course of a month?