Phases of the Moon

Question 1

A 28‑day month starts with a New Moon on day 1. Which of the following lists the Moon’s phases in the exact order they appear from day 1 through day 28?

Accepted Answer

New → Waxing Crescent → First Quarter → Waxing Gibbous → Full → Waning Gibbous → Last Quarter → Waning Crescent → New

Answer

New → Waxing Crescent → First Quarter → Waxing Gibbous → Full → Waning Crescent → Last Quarter → Waning Gibbous → New

Answer

New → Waxing Crescent → First Quarter → Waning Gibbous → Full → Waxing Gibbous → Last Quarter → Waning Crescent → New

Answer

New → Waning Crescent → First Quarter → Waxing Crescent → Full → Waxing Gibbous → Last Quarter → Waning Gibbous → New

Question 2

An observer on Earth sees a waxing gibbous Moon (more than half of the Moon’s face is illuminated, and the illuminated part is growing). Which of the following statements correctly describes the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon that produce this appearance?

Accepted Answer

The Moon is on the far side of Earth from the Sun, but not exactly opposite, so more than half of the near side is illuminated.

Answer

The Moon is directly opposite the Sun with Earth between them, so the entire near side of the Moon is illuminated.

Answer

The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, with the Sun lighting only a thin sliver of the Moon’s near side.

Answer

The Moon is on the far side of Earth from the Sun, and Earth’s shadow is falling on the Moon, causing a dark portion.

Question 3

Lila sees a thin crescent Moon rising in the east about two days after the new Moon. Which statement best explains why she sees only a thin sliver of light?

Accepted Answer

The Moon has moved just enough in its orbit that only a small part of the side facing Earth is lit by the Sun.

Answer

The Earth is mostly blocking the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon, so only a small part is illuminated.

Answer

Cloudy weather on Earth filters the sunlight, so only a thin part of the Moon reflects light.

Answer

The Moon’s own shadow falls on most of its surface, leaving a tiny bright area.

Try three questions

A 28‑day month starts with a New Moon on day 1. Which of the following lists the Moon’s phases in the exact order they appear from day 1 through day 28?

An observer on Earth sees a waxing gibbous Moon (more than half of the Moon’s face is illuminated, and the illuminated part is growing). Which of the following statements correctly describes the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon that produce this appearance?

Lila sees a thin crescent Moon rising in the east about two days after the new Moon. Which statement best explains why she sees only a thin sliver of light?

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