Final answer:
If the moon were half as large, the tides would be weaker. The occurrence of eclipses and the brightness of the moon would not be directly affected.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the moon were only half as large as it is now, the tides would be weaker. The twice-daily ocean tides are primarily caused by the Moon's gravitational force on the Earth's crust and ocean. With a smaller moon, the gravitational force would be reduced, leading to weaker tides.
On the other hand, the size of the moon doesn't directly affect the occurrence of eclipses. Eclipses happen when the Moon, Earth, and Sun align in a specific way. A smaller moon would not influence the occurrence of eclipses.
The brightness of the moon would also not be directly affected by its size. The brightness of the moon is determined by its distance from the Earth and the amount of sunlight it reflects.