Cycles Moon Phases, Tides, Seasons Study Guide

New moon Waxing Crescent 1st quarter Waxing Gibbous Full moon 1. Draw and label the eight phases of the moon as they appear from Earth, in order, starting with new moon. New moon Waxing Crescent 1st quarter Waxing Gibbous Full moon Waning Gibbous 3rd quarter Waning Crescent

2. Draw and label a diagram of the lunar phases with the earth, sun and moon in correct positions First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Waxing Crescent Sun Earth Full New Waning Gibbous Waning Crescent Third Quarter

Waxing: getting bigger Waning: getting smaller Gibbous: almost full 3. Define the following words: waxing, waning, gibbous, crescent, quarter (as they relate to the lunar cycle). Waxing: getting bigger Waning: getting smaller Gibbous: almost full Crescent: less than half full Quarter: A “half circle”

4. Draw and label the cause daytime/night time The earth rotating on its axis is the cause of day and night sun

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

It is the “opposite” season in the Southern 6. Explain what season it is in the Northern Hemisphere compared to the Southern Hemisphere. It is the “opposite” season in the Southern Hemisphere 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.

(IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE) WE ARE ACTUALLY CLOSER TO THE SUN 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

29.5 days 9. Rotation of Earth on its axis 24 hours 10. Revolution of Earth around the sun 365 days 11. Rotation of the moon on its axis 27.3 days 12. Revolution of moon around the Earth 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

16. Which moon phases occur during spring tide. 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

18. Which moon phases occur during neap tide. 17. Draw the alignment (relationship) of the earth sun and moon during a neap tide. 18. Which moon phases occur during neap tide. Third Quarter Sun Earth First Quarter

Spring tides are when high tides are higher 19. Explain what the difference is between Spring Tides and Neap Tides. Spring tides are when high tides are higher than 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; the highs 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 two times of neap tides each month.

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

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