Modeling Earth and Sun

A student is creating a model of the Earth and the Sun to explain why the length of day and night change throughout the year. Which of the following will be the MOST important feature to add to the model and why?

• The Earth should make a perfect circle around the Sun so that the Sun’s light hits all surfaces equally.

• The Earth should make an elliptical orbit around the Sun so that the Sun is at different distances throughout the year.

• The Earth should be tilted on its axis as it goes around the Sun so that the amount of light hitting the Earth varies depending on the tilt.

• The Earth should be placed upright on its axis as it goes around the Sun so that it shows the Earth slowing its rotation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Use the information and model to answer the following question. The model shows the Earth in one of its positions as it moves around the Sun. Which explanation is supported by this model?

• The Earth has the same hours of day and night. It is summer.

• The Southern Hemisphere has shorter days and longer nights. It is winter.

• The Southern Hemisphere has longer days and shorter nights. It is summer.

• The Northern Hemisphere has longer days and shorter nights. It is winter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The model shows Earth during part of its orbit around the Sun. Why don't all parts of Earth have day and night at the same time?

• The Sun revolves around Earth, and it can only shine on half of Earth at one time.

• Earth rotates on its axis, and only the part of Earth facing the Sun experiences day.

• The Moon revolves around Earth, and it blocks the Sun from certain parts of Earth at different times.

• Earth revolves around the Sun on an axis, and it is day only when that part of Earth is tilted toward the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The length of daytime changes during the year. Why does this happen?

• because the Sun tilts on its axis and moves around Earth

• because Earth spins on its axis and moves around the Sun

• because Earth spins on its axis and moves around the Moon

• because the Sun tilts on its axis and moves around the Moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Use the information and model to answer the following question. The model shows the earth on the summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere. Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the model?

• Mexico would not receive any daylight on the day this model shows.

• The Equator would not receive any daylight on the day this model shows.

• The Arctic Circle would not receive any daylight on the day this model shows.

• The Antarctic Circle would not receive any daylight on the day this model shows.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1