Which of the following best describes why we see the moon at different phases?(1 point)
Responses
We are only seeing portions of the moon that is reflecting Earth's atmosphere.
We are only seeing portions of the moon that is reflecting Earth's atmosphere.
We are only seeing portions of the moon when its orbit is closest to the Earth.
We are only seeing portions of the moon when its orbit is closest to the Earth.
We are only seeing portions of the moon that is reflecting sunlight.
We are only seeing portions of the moon that is reflecting sunlight.
We are only seeing portions of the moon that is blocking sunlight.
The correct answer is: We are only seeing portions of the moon that is reflecting sunlight.
The correct answer is: We are only seeing portions of the moon that is reflecting sunlight.
The correct answer is: "We are only seeing portions of the moon that is reflecting sunlight."
To understand why we see the moon at different phases, we need to consider the position of the moon in relation to the sun and the Earth. The moon does not emit its own light, but it reflects sunlight back to Earth.
As the moon orbits the Earth, we see different portions of the moon's illuminated side from our perspective on Earth. This is what causes the different phases of the moon that we observe.
During a full moon, the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, and we see the entire illuminated side. During a new moon, the moon is between the Earth and the sun, so we see the side of the moon that is not illuminated.
The other options mentioned in the responses are not accurate explanations for why we see different phases of the moon. The moon's visibility is not affected by Earth's atmosphere, and its proximity to the Earth does not determine the phases.