A “Moonth” of Phases
Focus Question
What causes the phases of the moon?
Key Vocabulary: Phase, waxing, waning, orbit
Procedure
1. Place a lamp on the desk and align it with position 1 of the orbital (starburst) tape on the floor at a distance of about 1 meter away.
2. Close the doors and shades to darken the room, shut classroom lights off and switch on the lamp.
3. Have one group member stand in the center of the starburst and hold the moon ball in front and slightly above his or her head so that the ball is between him/ her and the lamp and at eye level. Do not look directly at the bulb.
4. The ball should be about 1 m (3ft away) away from the lamp. Adjust the distance between the ball and the lamp so that the light shines brightly on the ball.
5. The remaining group members should now stand directly behind the person in the middle of the starburst and observe what part of the ball is illuminated (lit up).
6. If light is visible on the ball, all group members should draw the shape of the lighted part of the ball in position 1 on the data sheet. Darken in all areas of the circle that are not illuminated.
7. Have group member holding the ball turn 45 degrees counterclockwise (to the left) to the next orbital position (on the starburst) keeping the ball in front and at arm’s length. Partners should move and stand directly behind the person holding the moon ball again.
8. Observe the moon ball again and draw the shape of the lighted part in the corresponding position on the data sheet. Darken in all areas of the circle that are not illuminated.
9. Repeat steps 7 – 8 six more times until the center group member (the one holding the foam ball) completes a full circle (orbit) and is back at position 1.
10. Change places and repeat steps 3-9 so that each person has a chance to work through the model.
11. Once everyone is finished take the envelope of the phase cut outs and put the different images on the ground along the different ends of tape to show where the different phases occur. Use your drawings and foam ball to help you match the images.
Name ______Date______Period______
A “Moonth” of Phases
Answer the following questions using complete sentences where appropriate.
1. In this model, what represents the:
· The Earth? ______
· The sun? ______
· The moon? ______
2. Refer back to your data sheet. How much of the lighted part of the ball did you see when facing the lamp? Explain why.
3. Label your drawings with the names of the phases of the moon. You may use the textbook, the moon phase cut outs, and other resources to help you.
4a. How much of the lighted part did you see beginning at position 1 and after each turn until the moon reached position 5?
4b. How much of the lighted part of the moon did you see from position 5 until you reached position 1 again? How were the results for these positions like those from positions 1-5? How were they different?
5. Whether you could see it or not, how much of the ball’s surface was always lit by the lamp? Why is this case?
6. How much of the ball’s surface was always in darkness? Why is this the case?
7. An eclipse is defined as the partial or total blocking of one object in space by an other object. Was the darkness of the new moon caused by an eclipse? Explain your answer.
8. Use this Investigation and your background knowledge to answer the focus question: What causes the phases of the moon? Give at least two examples from the investigation to support your answer. Draw sketches to help in your explanation.
9. Describe two ways this model represents actual processes. Describe two ways how this model does not represent actual processes.
10. What is another way (using different materials) to make a model that represents the various phases of the moon? Explain in detail!