Rotations, Orbits, and Seasons

Luis created a clay model of Earth and the sun. To show how Earth rotates, Luis wants to use a toothpick to represent Earth’s axis of rotation. Where should Luis place the toothpick?

• Horizontally through Earth in the direction Earth is traveling.

• Vertically through the center of Earth, slightly to the side of each pole.

• Horizontally through Earth from one side of the equator to the other side.

• Diagonally across Earth, halfway between the equator and the two poles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Miranda is studying the planet Neptune. Miranda wants to know how long a year is on Neptune. Which question should Miranda ask to find out the length of Neptune’s year?

• How far does Neptune travel during its orbit?

• How much is Neptune’s axis of rotation tilted?

• How long does it take Neptune to orbit the sun?

• How long does it take Neptune to rotate on its axis?

In the diagram, 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?

• 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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Which statement best explains the reason for this situation?

• When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun.

• When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun.

• When the Northern Hemisphere is relatively close to the sun, the Southern Hemisphere is relatively far from the sun.

• When the Northern Hemisphere is relatively far from the sun, the Southern Hemisphere is relatively close to the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The Northern Hemisphere receives higher amounts of solar energy during one half the year than it does during the other half of the year. Which change happens during the year to explain this?

• The distance of Earth from the sun.

• The angle that sunlight reaches Earth.

• The angle that Earth is tilted on its axis.

• The amount of energy produced by the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

This table shows how many Earth days it takes Mercury and Venus to complete one orbit and to complete one rotation. Based on the information in the table, which statement is true?

• A year on Venus is 88 Earth days long.

• A day on Venus is 225 Earth days long.

• A day of Mercury is 243 Earth days long.

• A year on Mercury is 88 Earth days long.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The diagram shows a model of Earth and the sun. James rotates Earth 360 degrees about its axis. Which of the following does one complete rotation of Earth represent?

• A day

• A year

• A month

• A season

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A region on Earth’s surface always has the highest temperatures in June and the lowest temperatures in December. Which of these statements explains why the temperatures are highest in June?

• This region is tilted the most toward the sun in June.

• This region is the nearest distance from the sun in June.

• This region is the farthest distance from the sun in June.

• This region is tilted the farthest away from the sun in June.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How do the temperatures at the equator during the year compare to the temperatures at the poles during the year?

• The equator is generally cold.

• The poles are generally warm.

• There is less variation at the equator.

• There is more variation at the equator.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The part of Earth that is tilted toward the sun changes throughout the year, as shown in the diagram. In which position is Earth when the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing summer?

• Position A

• Position B

• Position C

• Position D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1