Question

The half of the moon facing the sun is always lit, but the different phases happen because:

Question 1 options:

the Earth moves to different positions around the Sun

we only see parts of the lit side as the moon goes around the Earth

only part of the light gets reflected to Earth

the spinning of the moon lets us see different amounts of light

Answer 1

we only see parts of the lit side as the moon goes around the earth

Step-by-step explanation:

Unlike the sun, the moon orbits the Earth. This is the reason why we see the different phases of the moon. The reflection of the moon is being illuminated back to us with the help of the sun. So, as the moon circles the Earth, we only see parts of the lit side. Such changes helps us see the moon in different phases such as the Third Quarter, Crescent, New Moon, Full Moon, etc.

For example, during "Full Moon," the moon's entire face is lit up by the sun. Thus, we see the entire moon's lit portion.

Thus, this explains the answer.