Question

1. base your answer to the following question on the diagram below, which represents a model of the earth-moon system as viewed from above the north pole. the numbers 1 through 8 represent positions of the moon as it revolves around earth. the parts of the diagram lettered a through d show how the moons phases appear to an observer in new jersey. as the moons phase changes from first quarter to last quarter, the visible portion of the moon as observed from earth will a) decrease, only b) increase, only c) decrease, then increase d) increase, then decrease

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the Moon's phases

The Moon's phases change in a cycle. After the first - quarter phase (position 3), the Moon moves towards the full - moon phase (position 5). During this transition from first - quarter to full - moon, the visible portion of the Moon from Earth increases.

Step2: Continue analyzing the phases

After the full - moon phase (position 5), the Moon moves towards the last - quarter phase (position 7). During this transition from full - moon to last - quarter, the visible portion of the Moon from Earth decreases.

Answer:

D. increase, then decrease