Exit Check 3.5 - Earth's Orbit

3.5.1

Which statement best explains why there are seasons on Earth?

• Earth’s axial tilt remains fixed as it revolves around the sun.
• Earth’s orbit is slightly elliptical, causing the distance from the sun to change.
• Clouds are more frequent during the winter months.
• Earth’s axial tilt changes as it revolves around the sun.

Answer explanation

Remember, the seasons are not caused by Earth’s distance from the Sun. Earth's orbit is too close to a circle for its orbit to cause a noticeable change in temperature.

Instead, they happen because of Earth’s axial tilt. Use the model we made in class to predict which parts of Earth get the most sunlight at different times of the year. Start by identifying summer or winter, then use the known order of the seasons to figure out the rest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

3.5.1

Match the following

• A

• Summer

• C

• Winter

• D

• Fall

• B

• Spring

Answer explanation

Remember, the seasons are not caused by Earth’s distance from the Sun. Earth's orbit is too close to a circle for its orbit to cause a noticeable change in temperature.

Instead, they happen because of Earth’s axial tilt. Use the model we made in class to predict which parts of Earth get the most sunlight at different times of the year. Start by identifying summer or winter, then use the known order of the seasons to figure out the rest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

3.5.1

Rank the planets below from least to most extreme seasonal changes.  The axis of rotation for each planet is shown.

<<< Least extreme. Most extreme >>>

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Remember, the seasons are not caused by Earth’s distance from the Sun. Earth's orbit is too close to a circle for its orbit to cause a noticeable change in temperature.

Instead, they happen because of Earth’s axial tilt. Use the model we made in class to predict which parts of Earth get the most sunlight at different times of the year. Start by identifying summer or winter, then use the known order of the seasons to figure out the rest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

3.5.3

Why do time of year and location on earth affect when you can see certain constellations?

• The constellations orbit the earth so they are not in the same place all the time

• The earth is a sphere that orbits the sun. From a given spot on earth you can only see part of the night sky on any night, and the part you see moves as the earth does.

• The changing constellations cause the seasons to change.

• This is a trick question. All of the stars are so far away that it doesn't matter what time of year or where on earth you are, the night sky never changes.

Answer explanation

Consider the nature of day and night and the way the earth orbits the sun. Does the earth's orbit have an affect on which parts of the night sky you can see?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

3.5.3

Match the following

• A satellite that has not been made by humans

• Artificial satellite

• Anything in orbit around a planet.

• Natural satellite

• A satellite made by humans.

• Satellite

Answer explanation

Use your vocabulary and the section on artificial satellites in your notes for help.

3.5.3

Which of the following best matches the meaning of geosynchronous?

• Orbiting the earth at the same speed that the earth is spinning so it stays over a single place on Earth.

• Orbiting the earth in a looping pattern that looks like a fancy signature.

• A satellite made out of rocks that orbits another object.

• Orbiting the earth so that is passes over both the north and south poles once each orbit.

Answer explanation

Use your vocabulary and the section on artificial satellites in your notes for help.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

3.5.2

The day of the year with the most daylight hours is the

• spring equinox

• fall equinox

• summer solstice

• winter solstice

Answer explanation

A sunlight curve shows the average amount of sunlight a location receives on each day over a year. When you see curves for multiple locations on one graph, you can learn a lot! Remember:

• The Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons—when one has winter, the other has summer.
  

• A solstice is when the difference between daylight and nighttime is the greatest (longest or shortest day).
  

• An equinox is when day and night are approximately equal in length everywhere on Earth.
  

Use these clues to interpret the graph and identify solstices, equinoxes, and which hemisphere a location is in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

3.5.2

What are the days of the year when day and light hours are equal?

• Solstices
• Seasons
• Daylight savings time
• Equinoxes

Answer explanation

A sunlight curve shows the average amount of sunlight a location receives on each day over a year. When you see curves for multiple locations on one graph, you can learn a lot! Remember:

• The Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons—when one has winter, the other has summer.
  

• A solstice is when the difference between daylight and nighttime is the greatest (longest or shortest day).
  

• An equinox is when day and night are approximately equal in length everywhere on Earth.
  

Use these clues to interpret the graph and identify solstices, equinoxes, and which hemisphere a location is in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

3.5.2

During the event pictured at number 2 (on the far left), which of the following would occur?

• The northern hemisphere would receive the most direct sunlight

• The northern hemisphere would experience the longest day

• The southern hemisphere would experience the longest day

• The sun's rays would be focused most directly on the equator

Answer explanation

A sunlight curve shows the average amount of sunlight a location receives on each day over a year. When you see curves for multiple locations on one graph, you can learn a lot! Remember:

• The Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons—when one has winter, the other has summer.
  

• A solstice is when the difference between daylight and nighttime is the greatest (longest or shortest day).
  

• An equinox is when day and night are approximately equal in length everywhere on Earth.
  

Use these clues to interpret the graph and identify solstices, equinoxes, and which hemisphere a location is in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

3.5.2

Based on the graph shown, which city gets the most consistent sunlight through the year? The city that gets the most consistent sunlight will be the one that sees the smallest change in sunlight hours from winter to summer.

• Houston, TX, USA

• Philedelphia, PA, USA

• Porto Alegre, Brazil

Answer explanation

A sunlight curve shows the average amount of sunlight a location receives on each day over a year. When you see curves for multiple locations on one graph, you can learn a lot! Remember:

• The Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons—when one has winter, the other has summer.
  
  

• A solstice is when the difference between daylight and nighttime is the greatest (longest or shortest day).
  
  

• An equinox is when day and night are approximately equal in length everywhere on Earth.
  
  

Use these clues to interpret the graph and identify solstices, equinoxes, and which hemisphere a location is in.