Eclipse

Eclipse

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about models of eclipses.
Lunar Eclipse

Lunar eclipses are rarer than solar eclipses. They happen up to three times a year.
Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipses happen at the start of the Moon's cycle and are often shorter than lunar eclipses.

The statements below describe either a lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse, or both. Using the diagrams above, tick the boxes to show which statements are true. The first one has been done for you.

Statement Type of Eclipse
Lunar Solar Both
a) The Earth casts a shadow on the Moon. √    
b) The Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.      
c) Part of the Earth is in the Moon's shadow.      
d) The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun so that they are all in a straight line.      
e) This eclipse happens up to five times a year.      
f) This eclipse occurs only at a New Moon.      
g) This eclipse lasts for up to 7.5 minutes.      
h) This eclipse could last more than an hour.      
i) This eclipse can be partial or total.      
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Copyright: 
Graphics: copyright NZCER.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, eclipses, diagrams
Description of task: 
Students indicate whether a series of statements apply to lunar eclipses, solar eclipses, or both.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
Scientists represent their ideas in a variety of ways, including models, graphs, charts, diagrams and written texts. 
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the meaning from and conventions of light diagrams.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (05/2003)
b) Lunar easy
c) Solar moderate
d) Solar easy
e) Solar moderate
f) Solar moderate
g) Solar moderate
h) Lunar easy
i) Both easy

NOTE: 6% of students got all 8 items correct and 36% got 6 or 7 items correct.

Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error
c) 25% of students chose "Lunar".
d) 20% of students chose "Both".
e) 24% of students chose "Lunar".
f) 29% of students chose "Lunar".
g) 21% of students chose "Lunar".
h) 16% of students chose "Both".
i) 16% of students chose "Lunar".

Eclipse websites for further information:
http://www.moonlightsys.com/themoon/eclipses.html (19/02/02)
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0874579.html (19/02/02)