Topic 3 - Earth-Moon-Sun System

Question 1

How can you estimate the circumfrence of the earth?

Answer 1

On the summer solstice day at two locations by measuring the angle of the shadow and the distance between the two locations.

Question 2

How can you estimate the moon’s diameter?

Answer 2

Measure the movement of the moon in the earth’s shadow during a lunar eclipse.

Question 3

How can you calculate the distances between the earth moon and sun along with the sun’s diameter?

Answer 3

Constructing similar right angled triangles (Same angles, different side lengths)

Question 4

Spring Tide

Answer 4

When the moon is in New or Full Moon - Strongest Tides

Question 5

Neap Tide

Answer 5

When the moon is in First or Third Quarter - Weakest Tides

Question 6

Total Solar Eclipse

Answer 6

Only chromosphere and corona are visible

Question 7

Partial Solar Eclipse

Also when in the moon’s orbit?

Answer 7

Only part of the sun is covered

When the moon is in the closer point in the orbit.

Question 8

Annular Solar Eclipse

Also when in the moon’s orbit?

Answer 8

A ring of the sun’s photosphere remains around the moon.

When the moon is in the more distant point in the orbit.

Question 9

What happens to the moon in a total lunar eclipse

Answer 9

It goes red due to the scattering of light in the atmosphere

Question 10

What happens to the moon in a total lunar eclipse

Answer 10

It slightly dims