Seasons and Moon Phases Exploration

A group of students is planning a science fair project to demonstrate why we have different seasons on Earth. They have access to a lamp (to represent the Sun), a globe, and a dark room. Which setup would best help them show how the tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons?

• Place the globe upright and rotate it around the lamp without tilting it.

• Tilt the globe at an angle and rotate it around the lamp, keeping the tilt pointing in the same direction.

• Spin the globe quickly in place under the lamp without moving it around.

• Move the globe in a straight line past the lamp without spinning or tilting it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

You are given a diagram showing the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. The Moon is positioned so that the side facing Earth is fully illuminated. Using your reasoning, which phase of the Moon is being shown, and what evidence supports your answer?

• New Moon; the Moon is between Earth and Sun.

• Full Moon; the Earth is between the Sun and Moon.

• First Quarter; the Moon is at a right angle to the Earth-Sun line.

• Third Quarter; the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A student claims that summer occurs when Earth is closest to the Sun. Using your knowledge of Earth's tilt and orbit, construct an argument to support or refute this claim.

• Support, because the Sun’s rays are more direct when Earth is closer.

• Refute, because the tilt of Earth's axis, not distance from the Sun, causes summer.

• Support, because Earth moves faster in its orbit when closer to the Sun.

• Refute, because the Moon blocks sunlight during summer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Imagine you are on the Moon looking at Earth. During which lunar phase would you see a "full Earth," and what reasoning leads you to this conclusion?

• New Moon, because the side of the Moon facing Earth is dark.

• Full Moon, because the side of the Moon facing Earth is fully lit.

• New Moon, because the side of the Moon facing the Sun is away from Earth.

• First Quarter, because half of the Moon is lit from Earth's perspective.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A teacher asks students to predict what would happen to the seasons if Earth's axis were not tilted. Which prediction is most accurate, and what is the reasoning?

• There would be no seasons, because every part of Earth would receive the same amount of sunlight year-round.

• There would be more extreme seasons, because the Sun would be directly overhead at the equator all year.

• The seasons would be reversed, with summer in December and winter in June.

• The length of each season would change, but not the temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Given the following scenario: In the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun appears higher in the sky and the days are longer. Using evidence, which season is it and why?

• Winter, because the Sun is closer to the horizon.

• Summer, because the Sun’s rays are more direct and days are longer.

• Spring, because the Sun is rising earlier.

• Fall, because the Sun sets earlier.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A student observes that the Moon appears to change shape over a month. Using your understanding of the Moon’s orbit, explain why this happens.

• The Moon changes shape because it spins faster at certain times.

• The Moon’s phases are caused by its position relative to Earth and Sun, changing how much of the lit side we see.

• The Moon’s phases are caused by clouds covering it.

• The Moon’s phases are caused by the Earth's shadow always covering part of it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Suppose Earth’s axis was tilted at 45° instead of about 23.5°. Predict how this would affect the seasons and justify your answer.

• Seasons would be less noticeable, with smaller temperature changes.

• Seasons would be more extreme, with hotter summers and colder winters.

• There would be no seasons at all.

• The length of the year would change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A city in the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing its longest day of the year. Using your knowledge of Earth's tilt and orbit, which season is it in that city, and why?

• Winter, because the Sun is lowest in the sky.

• Summer, because the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun.

• Spring, because days and nights are equal.

• Fall, because the Sun is directly overhead at the equator.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

You are asked to design an experiment to show the phases of the Moon using a ball, a lamp, and a dark room. Which step is most important to accurately model the phases?

• Place the ball between the lamp and your head and rotate the ball.

• Move the ball in a circle around your head, keeping the lamp in the same place.

• Hold the ball still and move the lamp around your head.

• Spin the ball quickly in place.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1