Full Moon

Definition

A full moon is the lunar phase that occurs when the Moon's Earth-facing side is fully illuminated by the Sun's rays. This happens when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, resulting in the Moon's disk appearing completely lit from the perspective of an observer on Earth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The full moon occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, resulting in the entire visible side of the Moon being illuminated.
2. During a full moon, the Moon's gravitational pull on the Earth is at its strongest, leading to the highest high tides and lowest low tides, known as spring tides.
3. The full moon is a key marker in the lunar cycle, occurring approximately every 29.5 days as the Moon orbits the Earth.
4. The full moon is often associated with increased human activity, such as higher crime rates and disrupted sleep patterns, though the scientific evidence for these effects is inconclusive.
5. The full moon's brightness can be used to navigate at night and has been an important feature in many cultural and religious traditions throughout history.

Review Questions

• Explain how the position of the Moon relative to the Sun and Earth leads to the occurrence of a full moon.
  • During a full moon, the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. This means that the Moon's Earth-facing side is fully illuminated by the Sun's rays, as the Moon is directly between the Earth and Sun. From the perspective of an observer on Earth, the Moon's disk appears completely lit, resulting in the full moon phase.
• Describe the relationship between the full moon and ocean tides.
  • The full moon's gravitational pull on the Earth, combined with the Sun's gravitational influence, results in the highest high tides and lowest low tides, known as spring tides. This is because the Moon's and Sun's gravitational forces are aligned during the full moon, creating a stronger tidal force that pulls the oceans to a greater extent. The increased tidal range associated with full moons can have significant impacts on coastal environments and human activities.
• Analyze the cultural and scientific significance of the full moon throughout history.
  • The full moon has held great significance in many cultural and religious traditions throughout human history. It has been used for navigation, timekeeping, and the scheduling of important events. Scientifically, the full moon's brightness has been studied for its potential effects on human behavior and physiology, though the evidence for these effects remains inconclusive. Additionally, the full moon's role in the lunar cycle and its relationship to ocean tides have been the subject of extensive scientific research, contributing to our understanding of the Moon's influence on the Earth's systems.

Related terms

Lunar Phase: The illuminated portion of the Moon's surface that is visible from Earth, which changes over the course of the Moon's orbit around the Earth.

Waxing Moon: The period of the lunar cycle when the illuminated portion of the Moon's disk is increasing, leading up to the full moon.

Tidal Force:

The gravitational pull exerted by the Moon and Sun on the Earth's oceans, causing the rise and fall of tides.