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Which of the following statements about lunar phases is true? (A) Only one quarter of the first-quarter moon is illuminated by the Sun.(B) It is possible to have two full moons during January, but not during February.(C) It is possible to have two full moons during November, but not during December.(D) The time between new moons is two weeks.(E) The full moon sometimes rises around midnight.

User Vince VD
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

The correct statement about lunar phases is that it's possible to have two full moons during January, not February, due to the cycle of lunar phases being about 29.5 days long.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement regarding lunar phases is: (B) It is possible to have two full moons during January, but not during February. Given that the cycle of lunar phases, from one full moon to the next, is approximately 29.5 days, it is possible for a month longer than 29 days to have two full moons, referred to as a Blue Moon. This scenario is possible in January, which has 31 days, but not in February, which has 28 or 29 days depending on whether or not it's a leap year.

For the first quarter moon, half of the Moon's illuminated side is visible from Earth, not just one quarter, which dismisses option (A). The time between new moons, known as a synodic month, is about 29.5 days, not two weeks, eliminating (D). While a full moon does indeed rise at sunset, it does not typically rise around midnight, so option (E) is also incorrect. Option (C) is not true because whether it is November or December, the possibility of having two full moons depends solely on the number of days in the month and the timing of the lunar cycle.

Lunar phases are determined by the position and orbit of the Moon relative to Earth and the Sun. The Moon's orbit and rotation periods result in its phases, including the first quarter phase, full moon, and third quarter phase, and influence phenomena like ocean tides.

User Thomas Murphy
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4 votes

Answer:

A) False B) True C) False D) False E) False

Step-by-step explanation:

A) At any point of time half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun. We are able to see only the part of the moon which is facing us.

B) Typically a Lunar cycle phases take 29.5 days to complete one cycle i.e. it will take 29.5 days for one event say full moon to reoccur. So except for February all the other month can have two full moons.

C) As explained in the above answer any month except February can have two full moons.

D) The tame taken between new moon is 29.5 days.

E) Full moon always rises at the sunset and sets at the sunrise

User Conchi
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