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Question

. Exploring Moon Phases: Why does the shape of the Moon appear to change throughout the month? Write in CER Format

Claim: Make a statement answering the question.

Evidence: Use specific observations from the simulator activity or your data table to support your claim.

Reasoning: Explain why your evidence supports your claim by describing the relationship between the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun

Make it look like a 8th grader wrote it

Make sure no one can find this

Answer 1

Claim: The shape of the Moon appears to change throughout the month because of its position relative to the Earth and the Sun.

Evidence: During the simulator activity, I observed how the Moon looks different on various days of the month. For example, when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, it appears as a New Moon and is not visible. As the days go by, I noticed the Moon becoming a thin crescent, then a quarter, and finally a full Moon about two weeks later. My data table showed that on Day 1, we saw a New Moon, while on Day 15, it was a Full Moon.

Reasoning: This evidence supports my claim because it shows how the Moon’s different phases correspond to its position in relation to the Earth and the Sun. When the Moon is in a straight line with the Sun and Earth, the side facing us is dark, making it a New Moon. As the Moon moves in its orbit, more of its lit side becomes visible to us, leading to the different phases. The cycle repeats every month, showing how the changing positions create the appearance of different shapes.