Year 7 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 10
Apply Worksheet
Learning Goals
Because… chain
Fill in the missing steps. This chain follows what you see in the lamp and ball model as you turn the small Moon ball around you.
Overall conclusion:
Real-world context
On 20 April 2023, a rare total solar eclipse crossed the Exmouth area in Western Australia. For a few minutes the Moon slid right in front of the Sun and day turned to twilight. People used special certified eclipse glasses to watch safely. A solar eclipse can only happen at new moon, when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth. The Moon's orbit is tilted about 5 degrees, which is why these events are rare rather than monthly.
(a) For each event below, write which Moon phase it happens at: new moon or full moon.
| Event | Phase |
|---|---|
| The Moon is between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on Earth | |
| The Earth is between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon | |
| A solar eclipse | |
| A lunar eclipse |
(b) Explain why we do not get a solar eclipse at every new moon. Use the idea of the Moon's tilted orbit in your answer.
(c) The 2023 eclipse over Exmouth was a solar eclipse. Describe how you would view such an eclipse safely, and explain why looking straight at the Sun is dangerous.
1. A friend says "The Moon's phases happen because Earth's shadow covers part of the Moon each night." Explain why this is wrong, and give the correct reason for the phases.
2. Using the lamp and ball model, describe how you would set up a lunar eclipse. Say what each object stands for.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?