Question

1. if the moon is half lit on the right side, which phase is it?

a) last quarter
b) first quarter
c) waxing crescent
d) waning crescent

1. which phase is exactly opposite of the new moon in the cycle?

a) waxing gibbous
b) first quarter
c) full moon
d) last quarter

1. if the moon is more than half lit and decreasing in light, which phase is it?

a) waxing gibbous
b) waning gibbous
c) first quarter
d) waxing crescent

1. which phase occurs after the first quarter?

a) waxing gibbous
b) full moon
c) waning crescent
d) last quarter

Explanation:

1. First quarter moon appears as a half-lit circle with the right side illuminated, as it is the phase where the Moon has completed 1/4 of its orbit around Earth, showing the sunlit right half.
2. The new moon phase has the Moon positioned between Earth and the Sun, so it is not visible from Earth. The full moon is the opposite, with Earth between the Moon and Sun, making the entire face of the Moon illuminated and visible.
3. "Waning" means the illuminated portion of the Moon is decreasing, and "gibbous" describes a phase where more than half the Moon is lit. This matches the description of a moon that is more than half lit and losing light.
4. The lunar phase order is new moon → waxing crescent → first quarter → waxing gibbous → full moon → waning gibbous → last quarter → waning crescent. After first quarter comes waxing gibbous.

Answer:

1. b) First quarter
2. c) Full moon
3. b) Waning gibbous
4. a) Waxing gibbous