The Earth and the Moon

 

 

Earth's natural satellite - the Moon

 

• Orbiting many of the planets are  natural satellites, called moons

• Our Earth has one moon. 

• It moves in an orbit round the Earth.

• It is held in this orbit by the pull of  Earth's Gravity.

• It goes around the Earth in an anti-clockwise direction. 

• The Earth also spins in an anti-clockwise direction at the same time from west to east.

• It takes one lunar month (28 days) to complete one orbit of the Earth.

• The Moon is a dead object. 

• It has no light of its own. 

• As it goes around the Earth we see the moon surface reflecting the Sun's light. 

• It looks different at different times of the month, changes its shape. 

• It has phases.  The phases are about 4 days apart.  See animation and diagram below.  

What is it like on the Moon- click here?

Continue... Gravity

 

 

🌙 Knowledge Check: Earth and Moon

Test your knowledge on the movement of the Earth and the phases of the Moon based on the lesson content.

1. How long is one lunar month?

• 24 hours
• 28 days
• 365 days

2. In which direction does the Earth spin on its axis?

• Clockwise (East to West)
• Anti-clockwise (West to East)
• North to South

3. Why are we able to see the Moon if it has no light of its own?

• It produces light through heat.
• It reflects light from the Sun.
• It reflects light from the Earth.

4. At what angle is the Earth's axis tilted?

• 15 degrees
• 23 degrees
• 45 degrees

5. Which of the following statements about the Moon is true?

• The Moon is a living planet.
• The Moon takes a year to orbit the Earth.
• The Moon is a dead object.

Click to Reveal Answers

1. 28 days (One lunar month).
2. Anti-clockwise (West to East).
3. It reflects light from the Sun.
4. 23 degrees.
5. The Moon is a dead object.

 

Tags: Earth and moon, Earth, Moon