Multiple Choice Question
The phases of the Moon are a result of which of the following?
A.
the Moon's orbit around the Sun
B.
the Moon's orbit around Earth
C.
Earth's orbit around the Moon
D.
Earth's orbit around the Sun
B. the Moon's orbit around Earth
The correct answer is B. the Moon's orbit around Earth.
The correct answer to the question is B. the Moon's orbit around Earth.
To understand why this is the correct answer, we need to know a few key facts. First, the Moon orbits around Earth, not the Sun. Second, the Moon does not emit light of its own; it reflects sunlight.
The phases of the Moon occur because of the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. As the Moon orbits around Earth, different portions of the Moon become illuminated by the Sun, creating different phases.
When the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, we see the New Moon phase, where the side facing Earth is in shadow. As the Moon continues its orbit, we gradually see more of the illuminated side, resulting in the Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, and eventually the Full Moon.
After the Full Moon, the Moon continues its orbit, and we begin to see less of the illuminated side, leading to the Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent, and eventually back to the New Moon.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. the Moon's orbit around Earth, as it is the motion of the Moon around Earth that causes the changing phases that we observe.