The sun and moon are very different sizes, but often appear to be the same size. During a solar eclipse, our tiny moon can totally block the giant sun because of?
A. the dark side of the moon facing Earth
B. the large shadow Earth casts on the sun.
C. their differing distances from the Earth
D. the reflection of light waves from the sun.
Help pls-
The moon is MUCH closer to earth and therefore occupies more of your view
The correct answer is C. their differing distances from the Earth.
During a solar eclipse, our relatively small moon can completely block the much larger sun because of their differing distances from the Earth. Although the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, it is also approximately 400 times farther away from Earth. This remarkable coincidence makes the apparent size of the sun and moon in our sky nearly identical.
When the moon moves between the sun and Earth during a solar eclipse, it casts a shadow on the Earth's surface, blocking the direct sunlight from reaching certain areas. However, this shadow does not completely cover the entire Earth, as only a small portion of the planet experiences a total solar eclipse. The moon appears to be the same size or slightly larger than the sun, thereby fully obscuring the sun during a total solar eclipse.
To understand this phenomenon, consider the following steps to find the answer:
1. Research the concept of a solar eclipse: Learn about the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth that occurs during a solar eclipse, and how this alignment causes the moon to block the sun partially or completely.
2. Compare sizes: Understand that despite the sun being much larger than the moon, the moon seems to have a similar size from our perspective due to the vast distance between them and Earth.
3. Eliminate the wrong answers:
- Option A: The dark side of the moon facing Earth does not affect its ability to block the sun during a solar eclipse. The eclipse occurs due to the alignment and distance, not the side of the moon we observe.
- Option B: While the Earth does cast a shadow on the sun, it is not the reason why the moon can block the sun during a solar eclipse. The shadow cast by Earth, known as the umbra, plays a role in shaping the eclipse path, but the moon itself is responsible for the blocking.
- Option D: The reflection of light waves from the sun does not explain why the moon can block the sun during a solar eclipse. The eclipse is caused by the moon's physical position and size in relation to the sun.
4. Select the correct answer: After eliminating the incorrect options, you will arrive at the correct answer, C. their differing distances from the Earth. The moon's location at a relatively close distance to Earth allows it to appear the same size or slightly larger than the sun, making it possible for the moon to fully block the sun during a total solar eclipse.