everyday science MCQ #2037

What causes the Moon's phases?

everyday science MCQ #2037

  1. Question 1

    Q1. What causes the Moon's phases?

    • A) The Moon's shadow falls on the Earth, blocking the sunlight
    • B) The Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, blocking the sunlight
    • C) The Sun lights up only one half of the Moon, and as the Sun orbits the Earth, we see the unlit side
    • D) The Sun lights up only one half of the Moon, and as the Moon orbits the Earth, we

    Answer: The Sun lights up only one half of the Moon, and as the Moon orbits the Earth, we

    Explanation: The Sun illuminates one hemisphere of the Moon at all times; as the Moon orbits Earth over ~29.5 days, we observe different fractions of the lit hemisphere, creating the lunar phases.