Moon Basics
The Phases
Causes and Eclipses
All about Tides
Spring v. Neap
100

This is the source of the moon's light.

The sun

100

The term for the Moon when the illuminated portion is "growing" or getting larger.

Waxing

100

True or False: The Moon's phases are caused by clouds covering it.

False


100

This force is the main cause of Earth's tides.

The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.


100

This type of tide features the most extreme difference between high and low tide.

Spring Tide
200

True or False: Half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun.

True

200

The term for the Moon when the illuminated portion is "shrinking" or getting smaller.

Waning

200

A common misconception is that the phases are caused by this object's shadow.

The Earth's shadow.

200

The number of high tides and low tides most shorelines experience each day.

Two of each.

200

Spring tides occur during these two Moon phases.

The New Moon and the full Moon.

300

The approximate time it takes the Moon to revolve around the Earth, about 29.5 days. This is about _______.

one month (or the lunar cycle)

300

This phase occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

New Moon

300

The actual cause of the Moon's phases.

The moon revolving around the Earth (and us seeing the lit side from different angles).

300

Besides gravity, these local factors can affect the height of tides.

The shape of the coastline and the depth of the water?

300

This type of tide features the least extreme difference between high and low tide.

A Neap Tide

400

This term describes sunlight reflecting off the Earth to faintly illuminate the dark part of the Moon.

earthshine

400

This phase occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon, and we see the entire lit side.

Full Moon


400

These events happen when a shadow is cast on either the Earth or the Moon.

Eclipses

400

If the Moon were farther away, its gravity would be weaker, causing tides to be this.

Weaker or less extreme.

400

Neap tides occur during these two Moon phases.

First and Third Quarter

500

Does everyone see the same side of the moon? Yes or No

Yes

500

The correct order of the four main phases, starting with a New Moon.

New Moon -- First Quarter -- Full Moon -- Last Quarter

500

A person in China and a person in the United States see different phases of the Moon on the same night. Both are in the northern hemisphere.

False. 

500

Both Moon phases and tides depend on the relative positions of these three celestial bodies.

The Sun, Earth and Moon.

500

Neap tides are less extreme because the Sun and Moon's gravitational pulls are working in this way.

Against each other (or at a right angle).