NAEP Science Grade 12

Category - Earth Science

The rotational period of the Moon exactly equals its orbital period in a phenomenon known as synchronous rotation. This characteristic of the Moon's motion is responsible for which of the following?
  1. The timing of the Moon rise being about 50 minutes later each day.
  2. The path of the Moon across the sky being from east to west.
  3. The full Moon always rising at the approximate time of sunset.
  4. The same side of the Moon always facing Earth.
Explanation
Correct Response: D. The synchronous rotation of the Moon means that it rotates on its axis at approximately the same rate as it orbits Earth. As a result, the same side of the Moon always faces Earth. The change in the time of Moon rise on successive days (A) is caused by the Moon's eastward motion during its orbit. Since the Moon has moved eastward by 13.18 degrees over the course of a 24• hour day, Earth must rotate eastward for approximately fifty extra minutes each day to catch up with the Moon's new orbital position. The Moon's apparent east-to-west path across the sky (B) results from Earth's axial rotation from west to east and the full Moon always rises at about sunset (C) because the Moon appears full when it is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun.
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