Sun, Earth & Moon

The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. Which statement is true about the solar energy received when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, compared to the Southern Hemisphere?

• The Northern Hemisphere receives less direct solar energy and is cooler.
• The Northern Hemisphere receives less direct solar energy and is warmer.
• The Northern Hemisphere receives more direct solar energy and is cooler.
• The Northern Hemisphere receives more direct solar energy and is warmer.

Each Earth day is 24 hours long. Which statement explains why?

• It takes Earth 24 hours to rotate once on its axis.
• It takes the moon 24 hours to rotate once on its axis
• It takes the moon 24 hours to complete one orbit of Earth.
• It takes Earth 24 hours to complete one orbit of the sun.

The phases of the moon are the regular changes in how the moon looks from Earth. In which phase is the moon not visible from Earth?

• New Moon
• Waxing gibbous
• Waxing crescent
• Waning crescent

In January, it is winter in the Northern hemisphere.  What season is it in the Southern hemisphere in January? 

• Fall
• Spring
• Summer
• Winter

Which two positions represent an equinox?

• A and B
• C and D
• B and D
• A and C

How do the temperatures at Earth’s equator compare to the temperatures at the poles, duringthe year?

• The equator is generally cold.
• The poles are generally warm.
• There is less variation in temperature at the equator.
• There is more variation in temperature at the equator.

Which gravitational pull has the greatest effect on tides?

• The sun's gravitational pull on Earth.
• The moon's gravitational pull on Earth.
• Earth's gravitational pull on moon.
• The sun's gravitational pull on moon.

Just as Earth moves around the sun, the moon revolves around Earth. About how many Earth days does it take for the moon to travel around Earth?

• 7 days
• 28 days
• 180 days
• 365 days

Zach is visiting Hilo, Hawaii. He wants to collect seashells, and the local people tell him that the best time to collect shells is a low tide. According to the diagram below, around what time should Zach collect shells?

• 9:00 am
• 12:00 pm
• 3:00 pm
• 7:00 pm

Which diagram shows an alignment in which neap tides take place?

• A
• B
• C
• D