8th Grade #9: Earth-Moon-Sun Systems

What causes the different phases of the moon as observed from Earth?

• The Earth's shadow covering the moon

• The moon's rotation on its axis

• The relative positions of the Earth, moon, and sun

• The moon's distance from the Earth

Explain how the tilt of the Earth's axis affects the seasons.

• It changes the distance between the Earth and the sun.

• It causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.

• It affects the speed of the Earth's rotation.

• It alters the gravitational pull of the sun on the Earth.

During which phase of the moon can a solar eclipse occur?

• Full moon

• New moon

• First quarter

• Last quarter

Describe the process and conditions necessary for a lunar eclipse to occur.

• The moon must be between the Earth and the sun.

• The Earth must be between the sun and the moon, and all three must be aligned.

• The sun must be between the Earth and the moon.

• The moon must be at its closest point to the Earth.

How does the law of universal gravitation explain the tides on Earth?

• The gravitational pull of the sun causes the tides.

• The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans causes the tides.

• The rotation of the Earth causes the tides.

• The Earth's magnetic field causes the tides.

Predict the effect on Earth's seasons if the axial tilt were to increase to 45 degrees.

• Seasons would become less distinct.

• Seasons would become more extreme, with hotter summers and colder winters.

• There would be no change in the seasons.

• The length of the seasons would change.

What is the primary reason for the occurrence of day and night on Earth?

• The Earth's revolution around the sun

• The Earth's rotation on its axis

• The moon's orbit around the Earth

• The Earth's axial tilt

Analyze how the concept of inertia is related to the Earth's rotation.

• Inertia causes the Earth to stop rotating.

• Inertia keeps the Earth rotating at a constant speed.

• Inertia causes the Earth to rotate faster over time.

• Inertia has no effect on the Earth's rotation.

Which of the following best describes the solstice?

• The time when day and night are of equal length

• The point in Earth's orbit when it is closest to the sun

• The day of the year when there is the most or least hours of sunlight

• The time when the moon is directly between the Earth and the sun

Evaluate the impact of the moon's tilt on the occurrence of eclipses.

• The moon's tilt prevents any eclipses from occurring.

• The moon's tilt causes more frequent eclipses.

• The moon's tilt causes eclipses to occur only at certain times.

• The moon's tilt has no impact on eclipses.