Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's ideas about evolution, and why are they considered incorrect today?
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1. Introduction to Biology
Natural Selection and Evolution
Multiple Choice
Can we always see the same amount of the illuminated side of the Moon from Earth? Which of the following best explains your answer?
A
Yes, because the Sun always illuminates half of the Moon, and we always see that same half from Earth.
B
No, because the Moon goes through phases as it orbits Earth, changing the visible illuminated portion.
C
Yes, because the Moon always shows the same face to Earth and its illumination does not change.
D
No, because the Moon rotates much faster than it orbits Earth, causing the illuminated side to change rapidly.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of the Moon's phases. The Moon goes through a cycle of phases (new moon, crescent, quarter, gibbous, full moon) as it orbits Earth. These phases are caused by the changing relative positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.
Step 2: Recognize that the Sun always illuminates half of the Moon. However, the portion of the illuminated side visible from Earth changes depending on the Moon's position in its orbit.
Step 3: Learn about the Moon's synchronous rotation. The Moon rotates on its axis at the same rate that it orbits Earth, which is why we always see the same face of the Moon from Earth (this is called tidal locking).
Step 4: Clarify that while we always see the same face of the Moon, the amount of the illuminated portion visible from Earth changes due to the Moon's phases. This is why the statement 'No, because the Moon goes through phases as it orbits Earth, changing the visible illuminated portion' is correct.
Step 5: Eliminate incorrect options by analyzing them. For example, the statement 'Yes, because the Sun always illuminates half of the Moon, and we always see that same half from Earth' is incorrect because the visible illuminated portion changes with the Moon's phases. Similarly, 'No, because the Moon rotates much faster than it orbits Earth' is incorrect because the Moon's rotation and orbit are synchronized.
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