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UPCAT Science practice question 47: When the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, an observer on Earth sees

Correct answer

B. a full moon

With the Earth in the middle, the Moon's sunlit face is turned toward us, giving a full moon. A new moon occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.

When the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, an observer on Earth sees

  1. a new moon
  2. a full moonCorrect
  3. a first quarter moon
  4. a waning crescent

Why B is correct

With the Earth in the middle, the Moon's sunlit face is turned toward us, giving a full moon. A new moon occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.

Why the other options are wrong

A a new moon
This is the reverse arrangement, with the Moon between the Earth and the Sun so its lit face points away from us.
C a first quarter moon
Occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon form a right angle, not a straight line.
D a waning crescent
A phase between third quarter and new moon, not an alignment with the Earth in the middle.
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