MOON PHASES LAB

I. Objectives

1. Create a model of the moon phases, including the Earth and the sun.

2. Measure the angle that occurs between the moon, Earth and sun at each phase.

3. Define vocabulary related to the phases of the moon.

4. Identify the phases of the Earth as they would be seen from the moon.

II. Materials

Food (various kinds)I supply Oreos for moons only!

Wax paper Protractor (to measure angles) Drawing paper Vocabulary Worksheet

III. Procedure This section should include a small

paragraph describing the steps your group took in constructing the moon model.

Ex. What did you use to represent the moon, Earth and sun? How were the phases created?

You must have the exact process used in creating the phases, Earth and Sun.

IV. Results This section should contain the following

data chart: Phase of the moon

Angle

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.

8.

IV. Results cont….

Figure A: A labeled diagram showing the phases of the moon as they would appear in the sky, relative to the Earth and sun. All phases should be labeled with name and the angle that occurs between the Earth, moon and Sun.

Figure B: The same type of diagram showing the phases of the Earth as they would appear from the moon.

V. Conclusion1. Explain how the phases of the moon are

created. (in space…not our lab)

2. Describe how your position in space affects the types of phases that you see and give an example. Use your two diagrams to help you!

3. List 5 facts about the moon that help to describe its surface features.

4. What other material/food could you use to create the phases of the moon?