Moon Phases
What phase of the Moon occurs when the entire near side of the Moon is illuminated and it appears as a full circle?
Full Moon
What do we call the event when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth and blocks sunlight from reaching part of Earth?
Solar Eclipse
Name the star at the center of our solar system.
The Sun
What causes the seasons on Earth?
Earth's seasons are caused by Earth's axial tilt.
True or False: Gravity on the Moon is the same strength as on Earth. (If false, explain briefly why.)
False — the Moon’s gravity is weaker because the Moon has less mass;
What phase comes immediately after the new Moon, when a thin sliver of the Moon becomes visible on the right?
Waxing Crescent
What type of eclipse happens when the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow and its surface appears darkened from Earth?
Lunar Eclipse
What is the effect we experience because of Earth's rotation?
Day/night
What is the tilt (in degrees) of Earth’s rotational axis relative to its orbital plane?
23.5o
How does distance affect the gravitational force between two objects?
Gravitational force decreases as distance increases.
Name the phase when exactly half of the Moon’s near side is illuminated and the left half is lit.
Third Quarter
Explain why coastal areas typically experience two high tides and two low tides each day.
ecause the Earth rotates once about every 24 hours while the tidal bulges (created by the Moon’s gravity) remain aligned roughly with the Moon, most coastal locations pass through two bulges each day — producing two high tides and two low tides.
A year on Earth is when what happens in space?
The Earth completes an orbit around the sun
Explain why the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer when the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun.
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, sunlight strikes that hemisphere more directly and days are longer, causing warmer temperatures and summer.
On which planet would you experience the greatest gravitational force? Why?
Jupiter, it has the most mass.
Explain why we see different phases of the Moon from Earth.
Because the Moon orbits Earth, we see different portions of its sunlit half. Seeing the Moon from different angles.
What causes most of Earth’s tides (the primary force responsible)?
The gravitational pull of the Moon
Put the following in the correct order from largest to smallest.
Galaxy, Star, Universe, Solar System
Universe, Galaxy, Solar System, Star
Explain why seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and give an example of months for summer in each hemisphere.
Because Earth’s axis tilt points the same way year-round, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun (summer, roughly June–August), the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away (winter, roughly December–February), and vice versa.
What season would you be experiencing in the southern hemisphere at position D in the following diagram?
Fall
In the following diagram, Which moon phase appears at each of the following locations (look at the diagram)?
1. First Quarter
2. Waxing Gibbous
3. Full Moon
4. Waning Gibbous
5. Third Quarter
6. Waning Crescent
7. New Moon
8. Waxing Crescent
What is the name for the tide that is higher than average and occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are approximately aligned?
Spring tide
Describe three differences between terrestrial planets and gas giant planets (give three clear differences).
Terrestrial planets: smaller, rocky, higher density, few moons, closer to Sun; Gas giants: large, gaseous (hydrogen/helium), low average density, many moons, ring systems, farther from Sun
Which of the following explains why it is warmer at the equator than at the North Pole?
The Equator experiences more direct sunlight year-round compared to the North Pole.
What season would you experience in the Northern Hemisphere at location D in the following diagram?
Spring