Question

base your answers to questions 4 and 5 on the diagram below, which represents the moon orbiting earth as viewed from space above the north pole. the moon is shown at eight different positions in its orbit.

1. as the moon changes location from position 2 to position 6, the visible portion of the moon as observed from earth

(1) decreases, only (3) increases, then decreases
(2) increases, only (4) decreases, then increases

1. the approximate time required for the moon to move from position 3 to position 7 is

(1) 1 hour (2) 2 weeks (3) 3 months (4) 4 days

1. during which season in the northern hemisphere is the earth closest to the sun?

(1) fall (2) spring (3) summer (4) winter

1. the spinning of earth on its axis causes the apparent rising and setting of the

(1) sun and the moon, only (3) moon and some stars, only
(2) sun, the moon, and some stars (4) sun, only

Explanation:

1. From position 2 to 6: Position 2 is a waxing phase (increasing visible part), then position 4 is full (max visible), then position 6 is waning (decreasing visible). So visible portion increases then decreases.
2. The Moon's orbital period is ~28 days. Positions 3 to 7 are half the orbit (4 positions out of 8), so ~14 days = 2 weeks.
3. Earth is closest to the Sun (perihelion) in January, which is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
4. Earth's rotation causes all celestial objects (Sun, Moon, stars) to appear to rise and set.

Answer:

1. (3) increases, then decreases
2. (2) 2 weeks
3. (4) winter
4. (2) Sun, the Moon, and some stars