Moon phases

Guiding Question: What are phases of the moon? Why do they occur?


Hypothesis:The moon phases of the moon are basically the differences in shades allowing us to see only a certain area of the moon.


Materials:

1. flashlight
2. model of earth
3. model of moon

Procedure:

1. Place the flashlight about one meter from the earth.
2. Place the moon between earth and the sun.
   
3. shine the flashlight and observe different phases
   

Analysis:

1. When investigating the simulation, the moon clock, and/or the model, what did you notice about the phases of the moon? Why do we see different parts of the moon each night?

The moon is constantly travelling around earth, and depending on the allignment with the sun and earth, we get different shades causing the phases.

2. How well did making a model help you understand the phases of the moon? What are some disadvantages of using models?


Using a model is more of a hands on activity. I really enjoyed this because i got to see for my self how the whole process works and having the flashlight helped even more. This lab was a great recreation.


3. Scientists are thinking all the time about how they can make models of objects that are too small or too large to see: Can you think of another way to make a model to represent the various phases of the moon?


I think that if they were to get the scaling right and have sophisticated motorin, tilts etc. they could get very precise information.

4. What is a lunar month?

A lunar month is 29 days that it takes for the moon to make a complete cycle.


Conclusion: In conclusion, i saw how we see the moon phases and what makes them what they appear to as us. I also saw how much the allignment of the sun moon and earth affects these phases.


Further Inquiry:




3. What cause a tide?


Tides are caused by the moons pull on earth, since it cant pull the whole planet it pulls the water around with it which is very interesting.