Earth, Moon, and Sun Relationship Basics

Could the half of the Moon that faces Earth ever be completely dark in any of these diagrams?

• No, the Moon is always lit by the sun.

• Yes, always in Diagrams 2 and 3, but never in Diagram 1.

• Yes, always in Diagram 2, but never in Diagrams 1 or 3.

• Yes, always in Diagram 2 and sometimes in Diagram 3.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Leticia is a space scientist who made this diagram of the Moon and Earth as seen from above (top view), with sunlight coming from the left, as shown by the arrows. Why does Leticia’s diagram show that it’s brighter on the left half of the Moon?

• Because Leticia’s diagram is showing that the half of the Moon that is facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark.

• Because the Moon has some lighter-colored rock and some darker-colored rock, and Leticia’s diagram is showing that the half of the Moon with the lighter-colored rock has rotated to the left.

• Because as the Moon gets closer to the sun, more of it is lit by the sun, so Leticia’s diagram is showing sunlight on half of the Moon.

• Because there is a shadow from Earth falling on half of the Moon, and Leticia’s diagram is showing that shadow on the right half of the Moon.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Tania went outside and made two observations of the Moon that were several days apart. Her observations are shown in the diagram above. The light part of the Moon appeared to get larger over time. Why did this happen?

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon moved so that Tania was able to see more of the half that faces the sun.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon moved closer to the sun so more sunlight reached the Moon’s surface.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon rotated so that more of the light-colored rock on the Moon’s surface faced Earth.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, Earth moved so its shadow was blocking less of the Moon so Tania was able to see more of it.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Three students made the diagrams above to show what they think the Moon looks like when it is seen from above (top view). In these diagrams, the sunlight is coming from the left, as shown by the arrows. Which diagram is accurate and why?

• Diagram A is accurate because the whole Moon is bright as long as there are no shadows covering parts of it.

• Diagram B is accurate because the Moon is almost as close as it can be to the sun, so the Moon is almost fully lit by the sun.

• Diagram C is accurate because the half of the Moon that is facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark.

• All three diagrams are sometimes accurate because the Moon has some lighter-colored rock and some darker-colored rock, and the half of the Moon with the lighter-colored rock rotates to face different directions.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which model best shows the relationship between the Earth, moon, and sun?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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The daily rising and falling of the ​ (a)   is caused by the ​ (b)   of the ​ (c)  

• tides

• Moon

• lava

• gravitational pull

• solar system

• Milky Way

• shadow

• Moon and the Sun

• oceans and lakes

• equinoxes

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The diagram above shows Earth and the Moon from above (top view). Why is there a dotted circle drawn in this diagram?

• To show the locations where the sun’s light can reach the Moon.

• To show the locations of satellites that are in Earth’s atmosphere.

• To show the way that the Moon can move back and forth across Earth’s sky.

• To show that the Moon is always orbiting around Earth in a circle.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Spring tides have the largest tidal ranges because...

• the earth, moon, and sun are aligned for greater gravitational force.

• the moon has the strongest gravitational force.

• the sun has the most gravitational force.

• none of the above

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A[n] ______________ tide occurs when the sun is at right angles to the line between Earth and the moon. 

• high

• neap

• low

• spring

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the definition of ORBIT?

• the nearly circular path a smaller object travels around a larger object

• the shape of the illuminated part of the Moon as it appears from Earth

• something we observe to be similar over and over again

• the border between light and dark on the Moon

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

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