The following figures show a top view of Earth, sunlight, and six different positions of the Moon as it orbits Earth. Note that the distances shown are not drawn to scale. Rank each of the six lunar positions from left to right based on the amount of the Moon’s illuminated surface that is visible from Earth, from greatest to least. (If two diagrams have an equal amount of illumination as seen from Earth, put one on top of the other.)

Answer 1

Answer: Picture above
This ranking task requires you to know that the Moon's phase depends on its position in its orbit. There are two key facts to remember as you study the diagrams showing the Moon at different positions in its orbit: 1. No matter where the Moon is located in its orbit of Earth, the half that faces the incoming sunlight is illuminated and e other half is dark. That is why all six diagrams show the right side of the Moon (facing the sunlight) bright and the left side of the Moon dark. 2. Although the side of the Moon facing the Sun is illuminated at all times, what we see from Earth varies. For example, we see a full moon only when the entire sunlit side of the Moon is facing directly toward Earth. Using these two facts, imagine placing yourself on the central Earth in each diagram and then visualizing what you would see as you look out at the Moon in the position shown. If you are still having difficulty, set up your own phases demonstration: Get a flashlight to represent the Sun, use a ball held at arm's length to represent the Moon, and your head will represent Earth. Slowly move the ball around your head, and watch how its phase changes as you view it in different positions relative to the light from the Sun (flashlight).