Jann in TX, and other "science" moms

[LisaNY]

Both my dd and I are trying to figure this out. We are studying astronomy right now. The text (and several others) state that as the moon revolves around the earth, the same side always faces the earth, due to the fact that it rotates as it revolves. There was an activity that has you use a penny as the moon, and a quarter for the earth. You are asked to move it around the quarter, keeping Lincoln's face always looking at earth. They then ask you how many times the penny made one complete rotation.

We can't figure out how the moon rotates while orbiting the moon without at some point facing AWAY from the earth.

Can anyone share another activity that would illustrate this?

[Jann in TX]

When you try the 'penny trick' start with the penny on the LEFT side of the quarter (Lincoln staring at quarter). Keep the quarter still. As you move the penny around the quarter--with Lincoln always looking at quarter to the other (opposite) side notice that the penny is now 'upside-down'. Continue moving the penny around the quarter and it will be 'right side-up' when it is back in its original position. It has made one 'rotation' as it revolved around the quarter.

[LisaNY]

NOW WE GET IT!!!! YAY!! Thank you, Jann! If they had explained it like THAT in the text, we would have understood it! :001_smile: