Tides
What causes ocean tides on Earth?
The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth’s oceans.
What causes Earth to experience different seasons?
Earth's tilt on its axis (23.5°) and its orbit around the Sun cause seasons
What is a solar eclipse, and how does it occur?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight.
What would happen to Earth’s seasons if it had no axial tilt?
There would be no seasons; every location would have the same climate year-round
What causes the Moon to appear to change shape over time?
The Moon's phases result from the changing positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, affecting how much of the Moon’s lit side is visible from Earth.
What are spring tides, and when do they occur?
Spring tides are extreme high and low tides that occur during new and full moons when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned.
How does Earth’s axial tilt affect the amount of sunlight received in different areas?
The tilt causes different parts of Earth to receive varying amounts of direct sunlight throughout the year.
What is a lunar eclipse, and how does it occur?
A lunar eclipse happens when Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
Why does the Moon not produce its own light?
The Moon reflects sunlight; it does not emit its own light.
What is the difference between a waxing and a waning moon?
What are neap tides, and when do they occur?
Neap tides are weak tides that occur during first and third quarter moons, when the Sun and Moon form a right angle with Earth.
What is the difference between the summer solstice and the winter solstice?
The summer solstice (June 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere) has the longest day, while the winter solstice (December 21-22) has the shortest day.
What is the difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse?
What is the umbra and penumbra in an eclipse?
The umbra is the darkest part of the shadow where the eclipse is total, and the penumbra is the lighter outer shadow where the eclipse is partial.
How long does it take for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases?
About 29.5 days (a lunar month).
How does the Moon’s gravitational pull affect high and low tides?
The Moon’s gravity pulls water towards it, creating a high tide on the side facing the Moon and another on the opposite side.
What is the difference between the spring equinox and the fall equinox?
The spring equinox (March 20-21) and fall equinox (September 22-23) both have equal day and night lengths.
What is the difference between a total lunar eclipse and a partial lunar eclipse?
How long will it take go from the 1st Quarter Moon to the New Moon?
Why do we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth?
The Moon’s rotation period is equal to its orbital period (synchronous rotation).
Why do most coastal areas experience two high tides and two low tides each day?
Earth rotates through the bulges of water created by the Moon’s gravity, causing two high tides and two low tides roughly every 24 hours.
Why do the lengths of day and night change throughout the year?
Due to Earth's tilt and orbit, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight at different times of the year.
Why don’t eclipses happen every month if the Moon orbits Earth?
The Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit, so it usually passes above or below the Sun’s shadow instead of directly through it.
What is the difference between rotation and revolution?
Rotation is on an axis, while revolution is to good around something else.
How does the position of the Sun, Earth, and Moon affect the phases we see?
The Moon reflects sunlight, and its phase depends on how much of the lit portion is visible from Earth as it orbits.