The phases of the Moon are caused by its orbit around the Earth, which changes the angle from which we view the illuminated part of the Moon’s surface.
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MCQs
1. Which phase of the Moon occurs when it is directly between the Earth and the Sun?
A) Full Moon
B) New Moon
C) First Quarter
D) Last Quarter
Answer: B) New Moon
Explanation: During a New Moon, the side of the Moon facing the Earth is not illuminated because the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.
2. What phase follows the first quarter Moon?
A) New Moon
B) Full Moon
C) Waxing Gibbous
D) Waning Gibbous
Answer: C) Waxing Gibbous
Explanation: After the first quarter, the Moon continues to wax (grow) towards a full Moon, entering the waxing gibbous phase.
3. What is it called when the Moon appears to be getting smaller?
A) Waxing
B) Waning
C) Gibbous
D) Crescent
Answer: B) Waning
Explanation: ‘Waning’ refers to the phase after a full Moon when the illuminated portion of the Moon visible from Earth is decreasing.
4. Which phase of the Moon would be observed immediately after a Full Moon?
A) New Moon
B) First Quarter
C) Waxing Gibbous
D) Waning Gibbous
Answer: D) Waning Gibbous
Explanation: Following a Full Moon, the Moon starts to wane, entering the waning gibbous phase.
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