Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 3: Problem 7

Is the far side of the Moon (the side that can never be seen from Earth) the same as the dark side of the Moon? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
No, the far side of the Moon and the dark side of the Moon are not the same. The 'far side' is the hemisphere that perpetually faces away from Earth due to tidal locking, while the 'dark side' refers to any region of the Moon that is not being illuminated by the Sun at a certain time. The location of the 'dark side' varies as the Moon orbits around the Earth.

Step by step solution

01

Understand 'far side of the Moon'

The term 'far side of the Moon' usually refers to the part of the moon that permanently faces away from the Earth. This is due to a phenomenon known as 'tidal locking', which is when an object's orbital period matches its rotational period. This means one side of the moon is always facing the Earth and the other side is always facing away.
02

Understand 'dark side of the Moon'

Contrary to popular belief, the 'dark side of the Moon' is not permanently dark. It simply refers to the side of the Moon that is not currently illuminated by the Sun. This varies depending on the position of the Moon in its orbit around the Earth.
03

Compare both sides

While the far side of the moon is always the same, because of tidal locking, the dark side of the Moon changes as the Moon orbits the Earth and different parts come into sunlight or become shadowed. Therefore, the 'far side' and the 'dark side' are not the same, but the far side can be the dark side when it is not illuminated by the Sun.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

How did Eratosthenes measure the size of the Earth?

On a certain date the Moon is in the direction of the constellation Gemini as seen from Earth. When will the Moon next be in the direction of Gemini: one sidereal month later, or one synodic month later? Explain.

Observe the Moon on each clear night over the course of a month. On each night, note the Moon's location among the constellations and record that location on a star chart that also shows the ecliptic. After a few weeks, your observations will begin to trace the Moon's orbit. Identify the orientation of the line of nodes by marking the points where the Moon's orbit and the ecliptic intersect. On what dates is the Sun near the nodes marked on your star chart? Compare these dates with the dates of the next solar and lunar eclipses.

What is the saros? How did ancient astronomers use it to predict eclipses?

(a) Suppose the diameter of the Moon were doubled, but the orbit of the Moon remained the same. Would total solar eclipses be more common, less common, or just as common as they are now? Explain. (b) Suppose the diameter of the Moon were halved, but the orbit of the Moon remained the same. Explain why there would be no total solar eclipses.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Electromagnetism

Read Explanation

Turning Points in Physics

Read Explanation

Kinematics Physics

Read Explanation

Oscillations

Read Explanation

Wave Optics

Read Explanation

Atoms and Radioactivity

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free