Question

you will model the earth - sun - moon system to develop an explanation for the changing appearance of the moon as seen from earth. procedure step 1 continue working with your partner. the lamp (sun) should be placed at eye level. use the marker and tape to label the polystyrene ball as moon. step 2 act have the person playing earth face the sun (the lamp). the other partner stands next to the sun, facing earth. earth holds the moon at arm’s length so the moon is between earth and the sun, then raises the moon so that the moon is slightly higher than his or her head. record your observations of how much of the moon appears to be lit in the table below. each partner records their observations in the appropriate column of the table. step 3 act keeping the moon held in the same position at arm’s length, earth will slowly turn in a circle toward the left, stopping at each quarter turn. at each stop, the partners each record their observations of how much of the moon appears to be lit. step 4 act switch roles and repeat steps 2 and 3, completing the table by recording your observations from the other perspective, either as earth or next to the sun. orientation of earth appearance of the moon from earth appearance of the moon from the sun facing the sun 1st quarter turn 2nd quarter turn (facing away from the sun) 3rd quarter turn hands - on lab worksheet 1 of 2 the earth - sun - moon system

Explanation:

Step1: Understand the initial setup

The lamp represents the sun, the polystyrene ball represents the moon, and a person represents Earth. When Earth - facing the sun (lamp) and the moon is between Earth and the sun, it's a new - moon phase situation in the model. The side of the moon facing Earth is not illuminated, so from Earth's perspective, the moon appears dark. From the sun's perspective, the entire side of the moon facing the sun is lit.

Step2: First quarter turn

When Earth makes a quarter - turn to the left, the right half of the moon is illuminated as seen from Earth (first - quarter moon phase). From the sun's perspective, the entire side of the moon facing the sun is still lit.

Step3: Second quarter turn (facing away from the sun)

When Earth makes a half - turn (facing away from the sun), the entire side of the moon facing Earth is illuminated (full - moon phase). From the sun's perspective, the entire side of the moon facing the sun is lit.

Step4: Third quarter turn

When Earth makes a three - quarter turn to the left, the left half of the moon is illuminated as seen from Earth (last - quarter moon phase). From the sun's perspective, the entire side of the moon facing the sun is lit.

Answer:

Orientation of Earth	Appearance of the moon from Earth	Appearance of the moon from the sun
1st quarter turn	Right half lit (first - quarter moon)	Fully lit
2nd quarter turn (facing away from the sun)	Fully lit (full - moon)	Fully lit
3rd quarter turn	Left half lit (last - quarter moon)	Fully lit