Question

How does the shadow of the Earth cause phases of the Moon? Isn't it the part of the moon which doesn't recieve sunlight.

Answer 1

Dear Student

The phases of moon are because of the relative position of earth and moon with respect to the sun not because of shadow of the Earth.

The moon travels once around the Earth every 29.5 days. As it does so, it is illuminated from varying angles by the Sun which causes phases of Moon.

At "new moon", moon is between earth and sun and so its side facing earth receives no sunlight and it is illuminated by dim sun light which is reflected from earth. As it moves around the earth, the side which we can see receives more sunlight and we can see different phases of moon.

Regards