Weather and Earth, Sun, Moon System

1. The diagram represents a model of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Arrows represent two motions of Earth. Distances from the center of the Sun to the center of Earth are indicated in kilometers. Earth is represented when it is closest to the Sun and when it is farthest from the Sun. Where would the Earth be when it is winter in the northern hemisphere?

• a. On the left side of the drawing
• b. On the right side of the drawing
• c. above the sun
• d. below the sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

2. The diagram below represents the apparent path of the Sun as seen by an observer at 65° N on March 21. The Sun’s position shown in the diagram was observed closest to which time of day?

• (1) 9 a.m.
• (2) 11 a.m.
• (3) 3 p.m.
• (4) 6 p.m.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

3. Which statement best describes Earth’s approximate rates of rotation and revolution?

• (1) Earth’s rotation rate is 15°/hour and its revolution rate is 1°/day.
• (2) Earth’s rotation rate is 1°/hour and its revolution rate is 15°/day.
• (3) Earth’s rotation rate is 24°/hour and its revolution rate is 360°/day.
• (4) Earth’s rotation rate is 360°/hour and its revolution rate is 24°/day.

4. Which of these takes about one year to complete?

• a. Earth to orbit the Sun
• b. The Sun to orbit Earth
• c. Earth to rotate on its axis
• d. The Moon to orbit Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

5. Positions 1, 2, and 3 in the diagram below represent the noon Sun above the horizon on three different days during the year, as viewed from Bakersfield, MO. At which position was the noon Sun on January 21, as viewed from Bakersfield?

• (1) above position 1
• (2) below position 3
• (3) between position 1 and position 2
• (4) between position 2 and position 3

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

6. If the tilt of Earth’s axis were increased from 23.5° to 30°, summers in Missouri would become

• (1) cooler, and winters would become cooler
• (2) cooler, and winters would become warmer
• (3) warmer, and winters would become cooler
• (4) warmer, and winters would become warmer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

7. Which diagram best represents the correct orientation of the North Pole [NP] as Earth revolves around the Sun? [Diagrams are not drawn to scale.]

• Option 1
• Option 2
• Option 3
• Option 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

8. The diagrams, labeled A, B, and C, represent equal-sized portions of the Sun’s rays striking Earth’s surface at 23.5° N latitude at noon at three different times of the year. The angle at which the Sun’s rays hit Earth’s surface and the relative areas of Earth’s surface receiving the rays at the three different angles of insolation are shown. As viewed in sequence from A to B to C, these diagrams represent which months and which change in the intensity of insolation?

• (1) December → March → June; and decreasing intensity
• (2) December → March → June; and increasing intensity
• (3) June → September → December; and decreasing intensity
• (4) June → September → December; and increasing intensity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

9. In the Northern Hemisphere, planetary winds are deflected to the right due to the

• (1) Doppler effect
• (2) Coriolis effect
• (3) tilt of Earth’s axis
• (4) uneven heating of Earth’s surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

10. The rotation of the Earth on its axis causes —

• a. seasons
• b. years
• c. months
• d. days

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6