Question

Why does the moon change its shape daily?

Answer 1

Hint: The moon undergoes its timely lunar cycle. During this cycle, the differences in the shape of the moon, which is also known as the phases of the moon, are because it is partially illuminated by the sun that is facing towards the moon. Hence we can observe the different shapes of the moon from the earth.

Complete step by step solution:
In simple words, we can say that we see the moon as the sunlight is reflected towards the earth in all directions. At any stage, the sun can illuminate only half part of the moon. The other half of the moon will not receive any sunlight as its shape is spherical. Based on the relative positions of the sun, moon, and the earth, various parts of the semi-sphere-shaped illuminated half of the moon face the earth, which causes the shape of the moon to be visible from the earth to change. The different phases of the moon are:
New Moon.
Waxing Crescent.
First Quarter.
Waxing Gibbous.
Full.
Waning Gibbous.
Third Quarter.
Waning Crescent

Note:
But on a full moon day, the moon appears as a complete circle, because the earth is located directly between the moon and the sun. Since the illuminated surface of the moon fully faces the earth, the moon will appear to be round. On other days, the earth is located away from the direct connection between the sun and the moon. The illuminated part of the moon visible from earth and directed towards it is smaller. On a new moon day, the earth is located at its extreme position from this line joining the sun and moon. As a result, the moon can be observed as a thin crescent only.