Day and Night Cycles

Front

What causes day and night on Earth?

Back

The rotation of the Earth on its axis causes day and night. As the Earth spins, different parts of it face the sun, experiencing daylight, while the opposite side is in darkness, experiencing night.

Front

What is the axis of the Earth?

Back

The axis of the Earth is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. The Earth rotates around this axis.

Front

How long does it take for the Earth to complete one rotation?

Back

It takes approximately 24 hours for the Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis.

Front

What is a shadow?

Back

A shadow is a dark area or shape produced by an object blocking light. Shadows change in size and direction depending on the position of the light source.

Tags

NGSS.5-ESS1-2

Front

Why do shadows change throughout the day?

Back

Shadows change throughout the day because the position of the sun in the sky changes as the Earth rotates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

Where does the sun rise and set?

Back

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Front

What is the significance of the sun's position in the sky?

Back

The sun's position in the sky affects the length and direction of shadows, as well as the amount of sunlight different areas receive throughout the day.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the term for the path the sun appears to take across the sky?

Back

The term is 'solar path.' It describes the sun's movement from east to west during the day.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

How can you tell the time of day using shadows?

Back

You can tell the time of day by observing the length and direction of shadows. For example, shadows are longest in the morning and evening and shortest at noon.

Front

What is the role of the Earth's tilt in the day and night cycle?

Back

The tilt of the Earth affects the angle of sunlight and the length of day and night, but it does not directly cause the cycle of day and night.