Question

three students made the diagrams below to show what they think the moon looks like when it is seen from above (top view). in these diagrams, the straight arrows coming from the left, as shown by the arrows. which diagram is accurate and why? note: these diagrams are not to scale. a diagram a is accurate because sometimes the whole moon is dark if shadows are covering it. b diagram b is accurate because the moon is as close as it can be to the sun, and so all of the moon is lit by the sun. c diagram c is accurate because the half of the moon that is facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark. d all three diagrams are sometimes accurate because the moon has some lighter - colored rock and some darker - colored rock, and the half of the moon with the lighter - colored rock rotates to face different directions.

Explanation:

To determine the accurate diagram, we analyze the Moon's illumination: the Moon has a permanently lit half (facing the Sun) and a dark half (facing away), regardless of its distance from the Sun. Diagram C correctly represents this (half lit, half dark), while A (whole dark) and B (whole lit) are incorrect. D’s reasoning about rock color and rotation is irrelevant to lunar illumination.

Answer:

C. Diagram C is accurate because the half of the Moon that is facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark.