What are some limitations of using this model to explain the phases of the moon? Consider factors like size and distance between objects in your response.

Question

(2 points)

Answer 1

When using a model to explain the phases of the Moon, there are several limitations related to size and distance between objects:

1. Scale and Size Discrepancies: Models often rely on simplified representations of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. In reality, the Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon and the Earth, and is also significantly further away. When using a model, these size and distance ratios can be difficult to accurately depict, leading to misunderstandings about how light and shadows work on a cosmic scale.

2. Orbital Distances and Angles: The actual distances and the elliptical orbits of the Earth and Moon are not easily represented in a typical classroom model. The Moon orbits the Earth at an average distance of about 384,400 km, and this affects the appearance of its phases. A model that does not account for the true distances and the tilt of the Earth’s axis can oversimplify the relationship between the three bodies, leading to confusion about how the phases occur throughout the lunar cycle.

These limitations can result in a misunderstanding of the mechanisms behind the phases of the Moon, impacting educational outcomes related to lunar observations and their astronomical significance.