Chapter 32, Problem 7RAT

When the Moon assumes its characteristic thin crescent shape, the position of the Sun is

(a) almost directly in back of the Moon.

(b) almost directly behind Earth, so that Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.

(c) at right angles to the line between the Moon and Earth.

To determine

The correct option for the statement “When the Moon assumes its characteristic thin crescent shape, the position of the Sun is”.

Answer to Problem 7RAT

The correct option for the statement “When the Moon assumes its characteristic thin crescent shape, the position of the Sun is” is option (c).

Explanation of Solution

The Moon, when seen in its first quarter or later in its last quarter, only a small arc-shaped section of the visible portion is illuminated by the Sun and is visible to man observing it.

If the Moon is correctly lined up with the Sun, it looks like an eclipse. As the Moon travels eastward away from the Sun in the sky, it looks like a potion of the Moon and that goes on increasing each day after the eclipse as now the Moon moves away from the Earth-Sun line.

The crescent Moon is observed when the angle between the Earth and Sun along with the Moon is a right angle and the Moon appears farther from the sunset from the first quarter period of the Moon phase.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the correct option for the statement “When the Moon assumes its characteristic thin crescent shape, the position of the Sun is” is option (c).