Mathematics, moon phases, and tides

Through this activity, students will learn the relationship between lunar phases and tides, graphically plotting the tidal range versus Moon phase over an annual cycle for a selected Australian port, as well as determining the mean tidal range for each lunar phase. Students will then focus on determining the relationship between the lunar orbital phase angle (the angle the Moon makes with the Sun as seen from Earth) and percentage illumination of the Moon (i.e. how much of the Earth-facing lunar surface is illuminated by the Sun).