CyclesMoon Phases, Tides, Seasons

Study Guide

1. Draw and label the eight phases of the moon as they appear from Earth, in order, starting with new moon.

New moonWaxing Crescent1st quarterWaxing GibbousFull moonWaning Gibbous3rd quarterWaning Crescent

2. Draw and label a diagram of the lunar phases with the earth, sun and moon in correct positions

SunEarth New

Waxing Crescent

First Quarter

WaxingGibbous

Full

Waning Gibbous

Third Quarter

Waning Crescent

3. Define the following words: waxing, waning, gibbous, crescent, quarter (as they relate to the lunar cycle).

Waxing: getting biggerWaning: getting smallerGibbous: almost fullCrescent: less than half full Quarter: A “half circle”

4. Draw and label the cause daytime/night time

sun

• The earth rotating on its axis is the cause of day and night

5. Draw and label the relationship of the earth to the sun at each of the four seasons.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/Seasons.shtml

6. Explain what season it is in the Northern Hemisphere compared to the Southern Hemisphere.

It is the “opposite” season in the SouthernHemisphere from what we are experiencing.

For Example: when it is cold and wintery Here in the United States, it will be warm and summery south of the equator.

7. Explain (you may used pictures to help with your words) why some areas of earth’s surface are warmer than others at different times of the year – in other words, explain why seasons occur.

• The Earth is tilted on its axis. The hemisphere tilted toward the sun is experiencing summer because it is receiving concentrated or more direct sunlight. The other hemisphere is experiencing winter and receiving sunlight spread over a larger area.

8. During what season (for North America) is the Earth closest to the sun?

WHEN IT IS COLD HERE (IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE)

WE ARE ACTUALLY CLOSER TO THE SUN

9. Rotation of Earth on its axis24 hours

10. Revolution of Earth around the sun365 days

11. Rotation of the moon on its axis27.3 days

12. Revolution of moon around the Earth27.3 days

13. Completion of the lunar cycle (phases) 29.5 days

14. Based on the chart, why do we only see one side of the moon?

• The rotation and revolution of the moon are both the same - 27.3 days

15. Draw the alignment (relationship) of the earth sun and moon during a spring tide.

16. Which moon phases occur during spring tide.

sun Earth

New moon full moon

17. Draw the alignment (relationship) of the earth sun and moon during a neap tide.

18. Which moon phases occur during neap tide.

Sun Earth

Third Quarter

First Quarter

19. Explain what the difference is between Spring Tides and Neap Tides.

Spring tides are when high tides are higherthan average and low tides are lower than average. The tidal range is more extreme.(occurs with new and full moons)

Neap tides are opposite of Spring Tides; thehighs aren’t as high and lows are as low. The tidal range is smaller. (occurs with first and third quarter moon phases)

There are two times of spring tides and twotimes of neap tides each month.

20. How many high tides and low tides are there each day and how far apart (in hours) are they?

• Two high tides and two low tides occur each day.

• High tides are 12 hours and 25 minutes apart. Or about 12 hours

• Low tides fall between the high tides

• So a low tide would follow a high tide by about six hours.

21. Regardless of the phase of the moon, how much of the earth and moon receives light from the sun at any given time.

• Half of the earth and moon receive light at any given time.

sun