Earth-Sun-Moon Study Guide
What phase(s) of the moon occur during a neap tide?
1st and 3rd quarter
About how long does it take the Earth to completely rotate on its axis?
24 hours
Differentiate between a Lunar and Solar Eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's shadow blocks the sun from Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth's shadow covers the moon.
Differentiate between a spring tide and a neap tide (including the position of the Sun, Moon, and Earth).
A spring tide has higher high tides and lower low tides. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned. A neap tide had lower high tides and higher low tides. The Sun, Earth, and Moon form a right angle.
What do we call the time it takes Earth to make a complete trip around the sun?
A year
What determines a year on Earth?
An Earth year is determined by the time it takes to complete an orbit around the Sun.
What shape is the Earth's orbit around the sun?
An ellipse (Elliptical)
Why do we have day and night on Earth?
Because of the rotation of Earth on its axis.
What causes day and night on Earth?
Day and night on Earth are caused by Earth's rotation on its own axis. As Earth rotates away from the Sun, it is night.
Differentiate between full and new moon phases.
Full moon occurs when we see all the moon's surface. New moon occurs when we cannot see any of the moon's surface.
Differentiate between gibbous and crescent moon phases
Gibbous phases occur when more than half of the moon's surface is seen. Crescent phases occur when less than half of the moon's surface is seen.
What phase(s) of the moon occur during a spring tide?
New and Full
List the phases of the moon in order, beginning with a New Moon.
New moon, waxing crescent, 1st quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, 3rd quarter, waning crescent
Differentiate between rotation and revolution.
Rotation is spinning on an axis. Revolution is the movement of one object around another.
Which type of tide has the largest tidal range?
Spring
What are the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during a full moon?
Sun - Earth - Moon
What are the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during a new moon?
Sun - Moon - Earth
Illustrate and explain the reason for the seasons on Earth.
The Earth experiences seasons due to the tilt of Earth on its axis. This tilt causes the hemisphere tilted towards the Sun to receive direct sunlight (summer) and the hemisphere tilted away from the Sun to receive indirect sunlight (winter).
What is the cause for Earth's ocean tides?
The Moon's gravity.
Explain why total solar eclipses are rare?
The Sun, Earth, and Moon have to be in certain positions and the Moon's shadow only covers a small part of the Earth.
Differentiate between waxing and waning moon phases.
Waxing phases occur when we see more of the moon each night. Waning phases occur when we see less of the moon each night.
