The lunar month is longer than the sidereal month because
A)the Moon completes the cycle of lunar phases before it completes a full orbit around Earth.
B)the Moon has to complete more than one full orbit around Earth to complete the cycle of lunar phases.
C)the Moon orbits Earth faster than Earth orbits the Sun.
D)the Moon orbits Earth faster than Earth rotates.
E)the lunar month is based on the Moon's orbit,while the sidereal month is based on Earth's orbit.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lunar month, also known as the synodic month, is longer than the sidereal month because the Moon needs to complete more than one full orbit around Earth to return to the same phase. This is due to the Earth-Moon system also moving around the Sun, requiring the Moon to travel a bit further to catch up to the same alignment with the Earth and Sun.

The Lunar Month Is Longer Than the Sidereal Month Because