Phases, eclipses, & tides

Learn about moon phases, eclipses, and tides! Middle school science worksheet.

Phases, Eclipses, Tides Section Summary As the moon moves, the positions of the moon, Earth, and the sun change in relation to each other. The positions of the moon, Earth, and the sun cause the phases of the moon, eclipses, and tides. The moon revolves around Earth about once every 27.3 days. It also rotates on its own axis about once every 27.3 days. The same side of the moon always faces Earth. The different shapes of the moon you see from Earth are called phases. Phases are caused by changes in the relative position of the moon, Earth, and sun. The phase of the moon you see depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth. When the moon's shadow hits Earth or Earth's shadow hits the moon, an eclipse occurs. An eclipse occurs when an object in space comes between the sun and a third object, and casts a shadow on that object. There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking the sunlight from reaching Earth. The moon's shadow then hits Earth. The darkest part of the moon's shadow is called the umbra. From any part of the umbra, the moon completely blocks light from the sun. Only people in the umbra see a total solar eclipse. Another part of the shadow is less dark and larger than the umbra. It is called the penumbra. From within the penumbra people see a partial eclipse because part of the sun is still visible. A lunar eclipse occurs at a full moon when Earth is directly between the moon and the sun. During a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow falls on the moon. Earth's shadow also has an umbra and a penumbra. When the moon is completely within Earth's umbra you see a total lunar eclipse. A partial lunar eclipse happens when the moon moves into Earth's penumbra. Tides are the rise and fall of the ocean's water every 6 hours or so. The force of gravity pulls the moon and Earth toward each other. Tides occur mainly because of differences in how much the moon pulls on different parts of Earth. As Earth rotates, the moon's gravity pulls water toward the point on Earth's surface closest to the moon. The moon pulls least on the side of Earth farthest away. Two high tides and two low tides occur each day because of this difference in the pull of the moon's gravity. Moon Matching Use the figure to match each phase of the moon with the position of the moon in its orbit. A new moon B waxing crescent C first quarter D waxing gibbous Moon Matching Use the figure to match each phase of the moon with the position of the moon in its orbit. E full moon F waning gibbous G third quarter H waning crescent Use the terms to complete each sentence. A(n) high tide occurs on the parts of Earth that are closest to or farthest from the moon.A(n) eclipse occurs when the moon's shadow hits Earth or Earth's shadow hits the moon.A person standing in the moon's penumbra would see a partial solar eclipse.Differences in the moon's pull on different parts of Earth cause tides.A person standing in the moon's umbra would see a total solar eclipse.The phase of the moon you see depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth.A(n) low tide occurs on the points of Earth between the high tides.A(n) lunar eclipse occurs at a full moon when Earth is directly between the moon and the sun.A(n) solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun.The force of gravity pulls the moon and Earth toward each other.