3D Eclipse GIZMO | ALL ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
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Student Exploration: 3D Eclipse
Vocabulary: eclipse, lunar eclipse, path of totality, penumbra, solar eclipse, umbra
Prior Knowledge Quest
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3D Eclipse GIZMO | ALL ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS IN A
CONTRASTING FONT
Student Exploration: 3D Eclipse
Vocabulary: eclipse, lunar eclipse, path of totality, penumbra, solar eclipse, umbra
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. Have you ever seen an eclipse? If so, describe what you saw. No I have not seen an
eclipse.
2. About how often do you think eclipses happen? - On some places on Earth eclipses
happens every 18 months.
Gizmo Warm-up
If you see a two-dimensional image of the Earth, Moon,
and Sun, you might predict that an eclipse occurs every
time the Moon passes in front of or behind Earth, or about
twice a month. However, eclipses occur much more rarely.
The 3D Eclipse Gizmo™ shows two views of the Earth,
Moon, and Sun: a top view (above) and a side view
(below). The sizes of the Earth, Moon, and Sun are not to
scale. (If they were, the Earth and Moon would be
microscopic!)
1. Set the Simulation speed slider to a middle value, and click Play ( ). Based on the top
view on the SIMULATION pane, describe the motions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. - The
Earth rotates and revolves around the sun, the sun stays at the same place, and the moon
rotates and revolves around the earth.
2. Click Reset ( ), and then click Play again. This time, focus on the side view at the bottom
of the SIMULATION pane. What do you notice about the Moon’s orbit? - The Moon revolves
around the Earth
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