Question

the model below shows the moon in four positions in its orbit around earth and the distances between earth and the moon at these four positions. below the model, claims about the moons visibility, distance from earth, and orbital velocity are listed. model of moons orbit around earth (not drawn to scale) claim 1: the amount of the moon visible is increasing from one day to the next. claim 2: the amount of the moon visible is decreasing from one day to the next. claim 3: the distance between earth and the moon is increasing from one day to the next. claim 4: the distance between earth and the moon is decreasing from one day to the next. claim 5: the orbital velocity of the moon is increasing from one day to the next. claim 6: the orbital velocity of the moon is decreasing from one day to the next. 6. which set of claims correctly predicts the amount of the moon visible, the distance from earth, and the orbital velocity for the moon during the waning gibbous phase? (1) claims 1, 4, and 5 (2) claims 2, 4, and 5 (3) claims 1, 3, and 6 (4) claims 2, 3, and 6

Explanation:

• Moon visibility: During the waning gibbous phase, the amount of the Moon visible is decreasing from one day to the next. So Claim 2 is correct.
• Distance from Earth: As the Moon moves in its orbit, if we consider the positions in the model (assuming a counter - clockwise orbit as per the arrows), the distance from Earth is decreasing. So Claim 4 is correct.
• Orbital velocity: According to Kepler's second law (equal - area law), when the Moon is closer to the Earth (as the distance is decreasing), its orbital velocity increases. So Claim 5 is correct.

Answer:

(2) claims 2, 4, and 5