Warm Up

The Moon is a round astronomical body that orbits the Earth as its only natural satellite. It
has a rocky silicate composition and has no significant atmosphere or hydrosphere. What
do you think Earth would be like without the moon?
 Phases of the Moon

are caused by the moon revolving around the

Earth
There are many objects in space that we can sometimes see from Earth- the Sun, a meteor, stars,
the International Space Station and the Moon.
The Moon is one of the most fascinating sites to see.

Sometimes it is visible during the daytime and sometimes during the nighttime.
 The Moon does not produce its own light.

Instead, the moon

reflects light from This reflection allows parts of the
the Sun. Moon to be seen from Earth,
sometimes in the daytime, and
sometimes in the nighttime.

Because different parts of the Moon are reflecting sunlight toward Earth as the Moon orbits Earth, the visible parts of the Moon
appear to change shape during its orbit.

This is what we call “the phases” of the Moon.

The diagram below represents a model of the Earth-Moon system as viewed
looking down from the North Pole. The numbers 1 through 8 represent positions
of the Moon as it revolves around the Earth. The parts of the diagram lettered A
though D show how the Moon’s phases look to the observer in Florida.
An observer in Florida sees a crescent phase of the moon, as shown.

At which position is the Moon

when the crescent is observed?

A) Position 2

B) Position 4

C) Position 6

D) Position 8
The diagram below represents a model of the Earth-Moon system as viewed
looking down from the North Pole. The numbers 1 through 8 represent positions
of the Moon as it revolves around the Earth. The parts of the diagram lettered A
though D show how the Moon’s phases look to the observer in Florida.
An observer in Florida sees a crescent phase of the moon, as shown.

At which position is the Moon

when the crescent is observed?

A) Position 2

B) Position 4

C) Position 6

D) Position 8
Use the information below to answer the following question. The early Greeks are credited with
many valid concepts in astronomy. Some of their theories were correct; some were later proven
incorrect. One theory was that the Earth was the center of the universe and that the other
planets circled Earth. The Greeks thought Earth did not move because its movement was not
obvious from the surface of the planet. The Greeks also believed that an invisible sphere
surrounding our planet contained the stars. This sphere rotated, explaining the apparent
movement of constellations over time.
Which celestial motion is responsible for the phases of the
moon?

A Earth rotating on its axis

B the moon revolving around the Earth
C the moon revolving around the sun
D the moon rotating on its axis
Use the information below to answer the following question. The early Greeks are credited with
many valid concepts in astronomy. Some of their theories were correct; some were later proven
incorrect. One theory was that the Earth was the center of the universe and that the other
planets circled Earth. The Greeks thought Earth did not move because its movement was not
obvious from the surface of the planet. The Greeks also believed that an invisible sphere
surrounding our planet contained the stars. This sphere rotated, explaining the apparent
movement of constellations over time.
Which celestial motion is responsible for the phases of the
moon?

A Earth rotating on its axis

B the moon revolving around the Earth
C the moon revolving around the sun
D the moon rotating on its axis
 The Moon’s phases change throughout a Lunar cycle over the course of about one month.
This means that we see the Moon’s appearance change throughout the cycle.

The changes in the appearance of the Moon form a repeating pattern, meaning that once the cycle completes itself, it will
restart.

Since there is not a set beginning or ending to the cycle, we’ll treat the new moon phase as the starting point for our discussion.

Look at the pictures of the Moon during the first half of a Lunar cycle, which takes about two weeks.
This half of the Lunar cycle begins with a “new moon”, where the entire side of the Moon facing us is in its own shadow so it
looks dark, and ends with a “full moon”, where the entire side of the Moon facing us reflects light toward Earth so it looks
like a bright circle.
 Look for a pattern in the pictures of the Moon’s phases.

Do you notice that during the first half of the Lunar cycle, with each new phase, the Moon appears to reflect more light toward
Earth?

The terms we use for this is “waxing”, which means it appears to be growing larger or increasing in size.
During the first week of the Lunar cycle after a new moon, the part of the Moon reflecting light toward Earth makes a “crescent”
shape.
These phases are called “waxing crescent”, because the crescent shape appears to grow larger.

After about one week, we can see half of the side of the Moon facing Earth.

This phase is called the “first quarter” because the Moon is one-quarter, or one-fourth of the way through its cycle.

During the second week of the Lunar cycle following a new moon, the part of the Moon reflecting light toward Earth makes a
building shape.
We call this shape, “ gibbous ”, which comes from the Latin word for “hump”.
These phases are called “waxing gibbous” because the hump appears to get bigger and bigger.
About two weeks after the new moon, we observe the full moon.
When the moon’s illuminated side is complete facing the sun, it causes a full moon.
The illustration below shows the positions of the Earth, moon and sun during the moon phases.

Which of the following best explains the location and cause of a full moon?
A Location 1: One half of the moon is facing the sun.
B Location 3: Half of the moon is being illuminated by the sun.
C Location 5: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing the sun.
D Location 7: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing towards Earth
The illustration below shows the positions of the Earth, moon and sun during the moon phases.

Which of the following best explains the location and cause of a full moon?
A Location 1: One half of the moon is facing the sun.
B Location 3: Half of the moon is being illuminated by the sun.
C Location 5: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing the sun.
D Location 7: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing towards Earth
Watch the changes in the Moon’s phases during the second half of the Lunar cycles following a new moon, which also takes
about two weeks.

This half of the Lunar cycle begins with a “full moon”, where the entire side of the Moon facing us reflects light toward Earth, so it
looks like a full circle.

It ends with a “ new moon”, back where our discussion began.

Look for a pattern in the pictures of the Moon’s phases.

Do you notice that during the second half of the Lunar cycle following a new moon, with each new phase, the Moon appears to
reflect less light toward Earth?
The term we use for this is “waning”, which means it appears to be decreasing in size.
During the third week of the Lunar cycle after a new moon, the part of the Moon reflecting light toward Earth makes a “gibbous”
shape.
These phases are called “waning gibbous”, because the gibbous shape appears to shrink, or get smaller.

At the end of the third week, we can see a dark half of the side of the Moon facing Earth.

This phase is called the “third quarter” because the Moon is three-quarters, or three-fourths of the way through the Lunar
cycle.

During the fourth week of the Lunar cycle, the part of the Moon reflecting light toward Earth makes a crescent shape.
These phases are called the “waning crescent” because the crescent shape appears to get smaller and smaller.
About two weeks after the full moon, we observe the new moon one again.
 Tying it (the two have of one Lunar cycle) all together!

During the first half of the Lunar cycle following a new moon, weeks one and two, you should notice that the Moon appears to
reflect more light toward Earth.

The phases change from a new moon to a full moon and include the “waxing” phases.

During the second half of the Lunar cycle following a new moon, weeks three and four, the Moon appears to reflect less light
toward Earth.

The phases change from a full moon back to a new moon and include the “waning” phases.
The question mark below shows the point between the moon phases that occurred on
March 16th and March 23rd. Which phase of the moon occurred between these two phases?

A New moon that is completely covered by a shadow.

B Crescent moon that is almost completely covered by a shadow.
C Full moon that is completely illuminated.
D Quarter moon that is always the first moon of the month.
The question mark below shows the point between the moon phases that occurred on
March 16th and March 23rd. Which phase of the moon occurred between these two phases?

A New moon that is completely covered by a shadow.

B Crescent moon that is almost completely covered by a shadow.
C Full moon that is completely illuminated.
D Quarter moon that is always the first moon of the month.
 Warm Up
1. Which celestial motion is responsible for the phases of the moon?
A Earth rotating on its axis
B the moon revolving around the Earth
C the moon revolving around the sun
D the moon rotating on its axis
2. The illustration below shows the positions of the Earth, moon and
sun during the moon phases.
Which of the following best explains the location and
cause of a full moon?
A Location 1: One half of the moon is facing the sun.
B Location 3: Half of the moon is being illuminated by the sun.
C Location 5: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing the sun.
D Location 7: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing towards
Earth
Eclipses
 To understand how an eclipse occurs, we must first understand the relationship between the Moon, Earth and Sun.

An “orbit” is
The Earth gets
defined as the path
around the Sun
an object takes when
in 365.25 days.
it revolves around
another object.

The Moon orbits the Earth in about 27 days or a little less than a month.
 The Earth is much more massive than the Moon, so the Moon orbits us, while we orbit the Sun.

The movement and Eclipses occur when one of

relationship of movement these bodies, either the
between the Earth, Moon Earth or the Moon blocks
and Sun causes some the other’s view from the
interesting effect that we Sun.
can see here in our sky.

A general rule for eclipses is that “The eclipse is named by what is blocked”.
Now that we understand that the Moon orbits the Earth while the Earth orbits the Sun, we can perhaps understand why
sometimes the Moon or the Earth get in the way of the light shining from the Sun.

The Moon and Sun

are on opposites
A lunar eclipse
sides of the Earth, so
happens when the Earth
Earth’s shadow
gets in between the Sun
blocks the Moon
and the Moon, blocking
from getting any
the sunlight from shining
sunlight.
on the Moon.

You can see a lighter shadow (penumbra) and a darker shadow (umbra)
An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object is
temporarily blocked from being seen.

What type of eclipse would occur in the following diagram?

A A lunar eclipse
B Neap tide
C Full moon
D A solar eclipse
An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object is
temporarily blocked from being seen.

What type of eclipse would occur in the following diagram?

A A lunar eclipse
B Neap tide
C Full moon
D A solar eclipse
 In the case of a solar eclipse, the Moon gets in between the Sun and the Earth.

It is similar to the optical illusion photo

You might be asking, how can effect where people can hold up their
this occur if the Moon is so hand to make it look like they are
much smaller than the Sun. pinching the moon.

The Moon is about 400 times closer

to us than the Sun. This is a large
enough distance to allow the Moon
to block out the Sun, even though the
Sun is so much larger.
 The umbra is the darker shadow that appears behind the Moon in a Solar Eclipse.

An eclipse
could be
observed
The penumbra from these
is the lighter shadow areas within
or partial shadow. the umbra
and
penumbra.

A complete total eclipse would happen for those within the umbra; a partial eclipse would be observed from those areas
within the penumbra.
 In a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks out the sunlight from hitting the Earth.

The shadow caused by the Moon shows up on Earth.

Only small areas of A solar eclipse can only

Earth are able to
occur during a New
experience a solar
Moon, when the illuminated
eclipse at a time.
side of the Moon is facing
away from us, and the
Moon is in between the Sun
and the Earth.

Because of the tilt of the Moon’s axis this does not happen every month. Areas might go years before they are lucky enough to
experience a solar eclipse.
The diagram below shows the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and
Earth when an eclipse was observed from Earth. Positions A and B are
locations on Earth’s surface.

Which statement correctly describes the type of eclipse that was

occurring and the position on Earth where this eclipse was observed?
A) A lunar eclipse was observed from position A

B) A lunar eclipse was observed from position B

C) A solar eclipse was observed from position A

D) A solar eclipse was observed from position B

The diagram below shows the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and
Earth when an eclipse was observed from Earth. Positions A and B are
locations on Earth’s surface.

Which statement correctly describes the type of eclipse that was

occurring and the position on Earth where this eclipse was observed?
A) A lunar eclipse was observed from position A

B) A lunar eclipse was observed from position B

C) A solar eclipse was observed from position A

D) A solar eclipse was observed from position B

 Solar eclipses are not unique to Earth.

A solar eclipse occurs

Solar eclipses can happen on when a planet, its moon
other planets too, as long as and the sun are aligned
along the same plane, and
they have moons that are
a substantially sized moon
big enough to cover the sun's
passes between the planet
disk from the planet's
and its sun, totally
perspective and orbit the
blocking the sun's light
planet on the same plane as
from reaching the planet.
the sun

To get a solar eclipse, the first thing you need is a moon. This immediately rules out solar eclipses on Mercury or Venus
— two planets without moons.
Solar eclipses are not unique to Earth. Solar eclipses frequently happen throughout the
Solar System, however, they do not occur on Mercury. Which of the following would most
likely explain why Mercury would not experience a solar eclipse?

A Mercury has no atmosphere

B Mercury is too close to the sun
C Mercury has no moons
D Mercury is the closest planet to the sun
Solar eclipses are not unique to Earth. Solar eclipses frequently happen throughout the
Solar System, however, they do not occur on Mercury. Which of the following would most
likely explain why Mercury would not experience a solar eclipse?

A Mercury has no atmosphere

B Mercury is too close to the sun
C Mercury has no moons
D Mercury is the closest planet to the sun
 In a lunar eclipse, the Earth actually blocks the sunlight from hitting the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
This happens during a full moon only but only when the tilt of the Moon’s orbit enters the umbra and penumbra shadow.

Half of the Everyone facing

Earth would the Moon on that
experience side would be
a lunar able to see it.
eclipse

Lunar eclipses happen often, but not every month due to the tilt of the Moon’s orbit.
1. An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object
is temporarily blocked from being seen.
What type of eclipse would occur in the
diagram?
A A lunar eclipse B Neap tide
C Full moon D A solar eclipse

2. Solar eclipses are not unique to Earth. Solar eclipses frequently happen throughout the
Solar System, however, they do not occur on Mercury. Which of the following would most
likely explain why Mercury would not experience a solar eclipse?
A Mercury has no atmosphere
B Mercury is too close to the sun
C Mercury has no moons
D Mercury is the closest planet to the sun
Because of its geographic location, Florida's weather isn't exactly divided into the traditional Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
seasons.

Another factor that affects the

Instead, the weather in Florida is the
weather is very presence of the Gulf Stream,
similar all year a warm ocean current that flows
round. along the coast and helps to
keep temperatures mild.

Other areas in the United States, however, have very distinct seasons.
The four seasons in the majority of the United States are a result of the tilt of the Earth, which changes how direct the Sun’s
rays are on an area of the planet.

During the summer the Northern Hemisphere, including the United States, is directed toward the Sun, making it warmer.

During the winter, the United States is directed away from the Sun, making it cooler.
The diagram below shows a model of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Letters A, B, C,
and D represent Earth’s position at the beginning of each season.

Which position represents spring in the Northern Hemisphere?

A) A C) C

B) B D) D
The diagram below shows a model of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Letters A, B, C,
and D represent Earth’s position at the beginning of each season.

Which position represents spring in the Northern Hemisphere?

A) A C) C

B) B D) D
The diagram below represents Earth at four different positions A, B, C,
and D in its orbit around the Sun. At which position is it SUMMER in the
Northern Hemisphere?

A) A C) C

B) B D) D
The diagram below represents Earth at four different positions A, B, C,
and D in its orbit around the Sun. At which position is it SUMMER in the
Northern Hemisphere?

A) A C) C

B) B D) D
 Earth orbits the Sun and it takes a full year for our planet to complete its orbit.

Earth remains
Earth also rotates
tilted in the
like a slightly tilted
spinning top. same direction
all year round as
it orbits the Sun.

This means that the sun’s light shines differently on Earth at different times of the year.
If we examine Earth when it’s winter in the northern hemisphere, we can see how the North Pole tips away from the Sun.

This means that sunlight strikes the Northern Hemisphere at a shallow angle for a short period of time.

This is why winter weather is generally cool with short days and long nights.
If we examine Earth as Earth orbits the Sun, when we move towards Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is tilted
neither toward nor away from the Sun.

now

Day and night are about equal in length.

 As we make our way to the summer months, notice that Earth is still tilted in the same direction.

However, now on the other side of our orbit, the North Pole is tipping toward the Sun.

Sunlight strikes
the Northern
Hemisphere Summer days are
more directly, warmer and the
and the Sun Sun stays in the
stays in the sky sky much longer.
for a longer
time compared
to winter.

Notice, while it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
Earth’s tilt creates the different seasons throughout the year.
Every year seasons change on Earth. Which of the following factors play
into these changes?

A Earth must be facing the sun for the heating of summer to occur and facing away during the
cooler winter months.
B The tilt of the Earth increases during the spring and fall which results in mild weather.
C The sun’s rays strike the Earth directly during the summer and are less direct in the winter.
D The sun is dimmer during the winter months and brighter during the summer
Every year seasons change on Earth. Which of the following factors play
into these changes?

A Earth must be facing the sun for the heating of summer to occur and facing away during the
cooler winter months.
B The tilt of the Earth increases during the spring and fall which results in mild weather.
C The sun’s rays strike the Earth directly during the summer and are less direct in the winter.
D The sun is dimmer during the winter months and brighter during the summer
 When the seasons change, it can bring along big changes in the weather including temperature.

Animals and plants

are able to deal with For example, groundhogs
these big changes, go through a state of
because they have inactivity in the winter
adaptations. called hibernation.

In addition, birds
Adaptations migrate or move away
are inherited traits from the cold-
that help living environment.
things survive.

Leaves on trees will change color and then fall off in an effort to conserve water loss until warm temperatures return.
 Florida is more unique than other places in the United States, because we don’t see the drastic changes in seasons.

Many palms
have thick
However, some
coatings on
Florida plants, such
their leaves to
as the bald cypress,
help stop
do lose their leaves
water loss
in the winter.
during the hot
summers.
 A typical fall for most of the United States has shorter daylight and less rainfall.

The leaves start to change This adaptation

color and then fall off the conserves nutrients
tree. and water.

If the leaves were to stay on all winter, the tree would lose a lot of water.
Florida animals may not have the extreme temperature changes as other areas in the United States, but they still have a lot to
deal with.

Tortoises, like the

Snakes often
gopher tortoise,
come out to lay
have a
on the road
burrow to during cold days,
protect them because the roads
from cold absorb light and
temperatures, release heat, but
but also to unfortunately,
protect them sometimes that
from extremely action gets them
high killed by vehicles.
temperatures in
the summer.
 Winters north of Florida can be extremely cold and long.

The ground hog

This is why animals, such as hibernates and eats a lot
the gray wolf, have a thick during the summer so
coat of fur and they sleep that it develops an extra
with their pack, all curled up layer of fat to help
against one another. insulate and give them
energy reserves.

Monarch butterflies migrate south to protect themselves from the extreme temperatures.
 Plants in Florida have a waxy coating to conserve water during the hot days of summer.

Summer also
bring
thunderstorms Pines, like the
with lightning, longleaf, have
so many plants thick bark to
have fire protect them
adaptations. from fire.

Plants can go dormant in winter to survive freezing temperatures.

 To sum it up, seasons occur because the Earth is tilted and it changes the angle of the sunlight hitting us.

Examples of adaptations in
Since we can’t change the tilt
plants include large leaves to
of the Earth, living organisms
increase absorption of
either have to adapt to those
sunlight in the summer or
changes or they will die.
becoming dormant during the
winter to protect and
conserve energy.

Examples of animal adaptations include hibernation, migration, digging burrows, or making dens for protection from extreme
weather.
 Warm Up
Every year seasons change on Earth. Which of the following factors play into
these changes?
A Earth must be facing the sun for the heating of summer to occur and facing away during the
cooler winter months.
B The tilt of the Earth increases during the spring and fall which results in mild weather.
C The sun’s rays strike the Earth directly during the summer and are less direct in the winter.
D The sun is dimmer during the winter months and brighter during the summer
 Gravity causes one object to orbit another.

Gravity is a Every object has some

force of effect on every other
attraction object.
between objects.

What determines the amount of force is the distance between each object and the mass of the objects.
 The more massive the object is, the more gravitational pull it will have on another.

However, many of the

Our Sun is the most
planets have moons that
massive of all objects in
orbit them and that is
our solar system, so the
because their moons are
planets all orbit the
sun. much closer to the
planet compared to the
Sun.

Scientists hypothesize that most stars have their own solar system of planets, their moons and other objects. These stars are so
much more massive than planets and so they have a larger gravitational pull.
 Gravity is the force keeping the Moon orbiting the Earth.

It also keeps the

Earth and the We know that Earth is affected
solar system by gravitation from the Sun
planets orbiting because we can see it by noting
the sun. what is visible in the sky during
different times of the year.

Many of the constellations you are familiar with are in different positions in the night sky during different times of the year.
 The amount of the moon that appears illuminated changes during the month.

The phase is caused

At any given time, only
half of a sphere, like
by the position of the the Moon or Earth, is
Sun, earth and Moon in illuminated by the sun
relation to one another. while the other half is
in darkness.

The phase of the Moon we can see from our perspective results from the amount of the illuminated side facing the Earth.
We can feel the effects of gravity all around us- as our feet are on the ground, but also gravity enables Earth to keep its
atmosphere.

When you go to the

The other effect beach and hang out for
of gravity is the a few hours, you can see
evidence of gravity by
tides. looking at the tides.

Tides are the levels of the water in the oceans around the world which change in a predictable cycle every day.
The photographs below show the same coastal location at two different
times during the same day. Which statement best explains the cause for
the higher water level at 6:52 PM?

A) The Moon rotates on is axis at the same rate that it revolves around the Earth.

B) The Moon exerts a gravitational pull on a rotating Earth

C) Earth’s rotation causes surface ocean currents that flow around the Earth.
D) Earth’s tilted axis causes changes to the Moon’s gravitational pull on different areas of the Earth.
The photographs below show the same coastal location at two different
times during the same day. Which statement best explains the cause for
the higher water level at 6:52 PM?

A) The Moon rotates on is axis at the same rate that it revolves around the Earth.

B) The Moon exerts a gravitational pull on a rotating Earth

C) Earth’s rotation causes surface ocean currents that flow around the Earth.
D) Earth’s tilted axis causes changes to the Moon’s gravitational pull on different areas of the Earth.
 The phase of the Moon results from the amount of the illuminated side we can see from our perspective.

Next, we would come

A New Moon
occurs when the upon a 1st Quarter
illuminated side of Moon. This occurs
the moon is facing when about half of
away from the the illuminated side is
Earth. visible.

A full Moon occurs when the side of the Moon that faces the Earth is also facing the Sun. This results in the complete sunlit
side of the Moon reflecting back to Earth.
Finally, the 3rd Quarter occurs when half of the moon is visible to us, but this time, the light is on the left. Both the 1 st quarter
and 3rd quarter phases occur when the Moon and the Sun are at a 90-degree angle from us.
The illustration below shows the positions of the Earth, moon and sun during the
moon phases. Which of the following best explains the location and cause of a
full moon?

A Location 1: One half of the moon is facing the sun.

B Location 3: Half of the moon is being illuminated by the sun.
C Location 5: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing the sun.
D Location 7: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing towards Earth
The illustration below shows the positions of the Earth, moon and sun during the
moon phases. Which of the following best explains the location and cause of a
full moon?

A Location 1: One half of the moon is facing the sun.

B Location 3: Half of the moon is being illuminated by the sun.
C Location 5: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing the sun.
D Location 7: The moon’s illuminated side is completely facing towards Earth
The Moon’s gravity pulls on the Earth and since the Earth and the Moon are very massive objects that are relatively close to
one another, this effect is very much observed twice a day.

This difference in
force causes a
squeeze on the Earth
The side of the Earth closest that results in low
to the Moon is pulled on tides on the sides of
with a greater force than the Earth that are 90
the side further away. degrees from the
Moon and high
tides on both the
side facing the Moon
and the side away
from the moon.
The diagrams represent Earth’s ocean tides at four different positions
of the Moon. Which diagram shows the Moon position that will
produce the highest high tides and lowest low tides?

A) C)

B) D)
The diagrams represent Earth’s ocean tides at four different positions
of the Moon. Which diagram shows the Moon position that will
produce the highest high tides and lowest low tides?

A) C)

B) D)
The diagrams show the sun, Earth and moon in different positions relative to one another.

Which diagram shows the correct arrangement of the sun (S), Earth (E), and moon (M) relative to
the location of high tides?

A)A C) C
B) B D) D
The diagrams show the sun, Earth and moon in different positions relative to one another.

Which diagram shows the correct arrangement of the sun (S), Earth (E), and moon (M) relative to
the location of high tides?

A)A C) C
B)B D) D
 High tides are observed off the coast of Eastern Florida about every 12 hours. Since it takes us 24 hours to make our way around
Earth’s axis, most locations have two high and two low tides a day, which are called Semidiurnal tidal cycles.

Because of the impact Other areas may

of the Earth’s surface, experience only one
not all locations have high tide and one
this semidiurnal cycle. low tide a day,
(called a diurnal
tidal cycle).

Some areas experience mixed semidiurnal tides, which include two different sized high and low tides.
These different tidal cycles are due to an area’s topography and their location away from the equator.
The Bay of Fundi experiences drastic water level changes.
When the Moon, Sun and the Earth are in a line, we get a larger tidal bulge called a Spring Tide.

The tidal effects from the Moon and Sun are added together and so the tidal effect is larger.
The diagram below shows the Moon orbiting Earth, as viewed from space above
Earth’s North pole. The Moon is shown at 4 different positions in its orbit.

At which of the Moon’s position(s) will a spring tide occur?

A) 1, 2, 3 C) 1

B) 2, 3 D) 4
The diagram below shows the Moon orbiting Earth, as viewed from space above
Earth’s North pole. The Moon is shown at 4 different positions in its orbit.

At which of the Moon’s position(s) will a spring tide occur?

A) 1, 2, 3 C) 1

B) 2, 3 D) 4
The diagram below shows the Moon orbiting the Earth, as viewed from space
about the Earth’s North Pole. The Moon is shown at eight positions in its orbit.

Spring tides occur when the different in height between high tide and low tide is
greatest. At which two positions of the Moon will spring tides occur on Earth?

A) 1 and 5 B) 3 and 7

B) 2 and 6 D) 4 and 8
The diagram below shows the Moon orbiting the Earth, as viewed from space
about the Earth’s North Pole. The Moon is shown at eight positions in its orbit.

Spring tides occur when the different in height between high tide and low tide is
greatest. At which two positions of the Moon will spring tides occur on Earth?

A) 1 and 5 B) 3 and 7

B) 2 and 6 D) 4 and 8
Tides result in the rise and fall of sea levels throughout the day and night.

Which points in the diagram of the earth would have High Tides?

A) A and B
B) A and C
C) B and D
D) D and C
Tides result in the rise and fall of sea levels throughout the day and night.

Which points in the diagram of the earth would have High Tides?

A) A and B
B) A and C
C) B and D
D) D and C
The alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun can have an impact on Earth's tides.

Which of the following would most likely occur if the Sun, Earth, and Moon are
lined up as shown above?

A Spring Tides, which is when there are very high tides and very low tides.
B Neap Tides, which is when there are almost no tides.
C Neap Tides, which is when there are very high tides and very low tides.
D Spring Tides, which is when there are almost no tides
The alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun can have an impact on Earth's tides.

Which of the following would most likely occur if the Sun, Earth, and Moon are
lined up as shown above?

A Spring Tides, which is when there are very high tides and very low tides.
B Neap Tides, which is when there are almost no tides.
C Neap Tides, which is when there are very high tides and very low tides.
D Spring Tides, which is when there are almost no tides
 When the Moon is either a 1st or 3rd quarter phase, the tides are smaller.

These variations in the

This is due to the heights of tides based on the
Moon’s tidal effect on Spring and Neap tide cycles
the Earth being at a result in a great variation in
90-degree angle to the the amount of coastal
Sun’s effects. flooding that can occur at
certain times of the month.

Knowing these tidal

The resulting lower changes can help us plan
high tides are called for issues that may occur
during spring tides,
Neap tides. especially if they occur at
the same time major
storms hit.

Hurricanes can cause coastal damage on their own, but if they occur during a spring tide, this can cause even greater damage
to coastal communities.
 Exploring what happens as the Moon orbits the Earth in its monthly Cycle

Stop 1: The Moon is in the New Moon phase, which would cause a Spring Tide.

In a Spring Tide,
both the Sun and This results
the Moon are lined in higher
high tides.
up in a direct
line, together
pulling on the
Earth.

Spring tides are larger due to both the Moon’s tidal effect and the Sun’s tidal effect lining up in the same direction.
 Stop 2: The Moon is pulling in one direction and the Sun is pulling in a different direction.

There are still high

tides based on
whatever side the
These high tides, called Moon is on, but the
Neap tides, would be Sun’s pull is in a
lower. different direction (at
about a 90-degree
difference from the
Moon).

Neap Tides occur during the First Quarter and Third Quarter Moon phases.
 Stop 3: The Moon is in a Full Moon phase.

The Sun and the

Moon are lined up This creates
in a direct line. another Spring
Tide.

Every time the Moon, Earth and Sun are lined up, it will result in a Spring Tide.
 Here are two snapshots of tide data collected off of Boynton Beach Florida in March 2018.

The National
Oceanographic and
You can see on the graph
Atmospheric
that a high tide occurs
Administration has tidal
about every 12 hours.
gauges that collect the
water heights from
locations all over the US.

There are about 2 high tides and two low tides every day.
 On March 10th, there was a high tide of only 1.87 feet.

On March 2nd, the tide

This shows us that a
of 2.88 feet, (the
Neap tide was
highest tide for the
occurring on March
monthly cycle), shows
10th.
that there was a Spring
Tide.

This (March 2nd) is

If we look at the when the NOAA
graph, the highest predicted that a Spring
tide was about Tide would occur.
2.88 feet.

This occurred at the same time that there was a full moon.
 Discussion of an investigation allows students to better understand methods and conclusions

For example, if a class if performing an experiment to show the effects of the moon on tides, a good science teacher would have
each lab group discuss their findings with the class.
Sometimes models are constructed or controlled experiments are performed to understand a concept that might be
dangerous to plant and animal life if scientists set those conditions up in the real world instead of in a laboratory.

For example, if we wanted to find out how hazardous waste affects surrounding plant and animal life, we would complete
a controlled experiment in a laboratory instead of placing hazardous waste in an area to see its effects.
A class was divided up into eight groups that all performed the same experiment.
Afterwards, the teacher had each group discuss their findings with the class. After
students complete a scientific investigation, why is it important for the class to
discuss the results obtained by each lab group?

a) Discussion of an investigation allows students to change data so that it matches the initial hypothesis
b) Discussion of an investigation allows students to better understand methods and conclusions
c) Discussion of an investigation allows students to select the best data and discard the rest
d) Discussion of an investigation allows students to find errors and change results
A class was divided up into eight groups that all performed the same experiment.
Afterwards, the teacher had each group discuss their findings with the class. After
students complete a scientific investigation, why is it important for the class to
discuss the results obtained by each lab group?

a) Discussion of an investigation allows students to change data so that it matches the initial hypothesis
b) Discussion of an investigation allows students to better understand methods and conclusions
c) Discussion of an investigation allows students to select the best data and discard the rest
d) Discussion of an investigation allows students to find errors and change results
A group of scientists have been asked to conduct a study on how hazardous waste will affect
the surrounding plant and animal life. The scientists decided that the best way to complete
the study is to conduct a controlled experiment in a laboratory. Which of the following is the
most likely reason the scientists will use a controlled experiment instead of placing hazardous
waste in an area to see its effects?

A) They expect the hazardous waste in the natural environment will have less of an effect than hazardous waste in their controlled
environment.

B) They can use different species than the plants and animals found in the real ecosystem.

C) They can study the effects of hazardous waste without harming surrounding plant and animal life.

D) They think using a controlled experiment will provide them with more results.
A group of scientists have been asked to conduct a study on how hazardous waste will affect
the surrounding plant and animal life. The scientists decided that the best way to complete
the study is to conduct a controlled experiment in a laboratory. Which of the following is the
most likely reason the scientists will use a controlled experiment instead of placing hazardous
waste in an area to see its effects?

A) They expect the hazardous waste in the natural environment will have less of an effect than hazardous waste in their controlled
environment.

B) They can use different species than the plants and animals found in the real ecosystem.

C) They can study the effects of hazardous waste without harming surrounding plant and animal life.

D) They think using a controlled experiment will provide them with more results.