Solar System

Brian, Nathan, and Maria are using a lamp and a globe as a model of the Sun and the Earth: Maria spins the globe while it is resting on the table. What is Maria showing Brian and Nathan about the Earth? (3.E.1.2)

• The Earth revolves around the Sun.

• The Earth does not move.

• The Earth rotates on its axis.

Which objects are included in the Solar System? (3.E.1.1)

• The Sun and many moons

• Earth and other planets

• Meteors, Comets, and Asteroids

• All of these objects

What does Earth have in common with the other planets in the Solar System? (3.E.1.1)

• All planets revolve around a star.

• All planets have organisms on them.

• All planets have liquid water.

• All planets are the same size.

The picture below shows a shadow created by the arrow blocking light from the Sun: How will the shadow change when the position of the Sun is above the arrow? (3.E.1.2)

• The length of the shadow will not change but its direction will change.

• The length of the shadow will be longer and its direction will change.

• The length of the shadow will be shorter and its direction will change.

• The length of the shadow will be shorter but its direction will not change.

Which of the following best describes the movement of the Earth in the Solar System? (3.E.1.2)

• The Earth only rotates on its axis.

• The Earth only revolves around the Sun.

• The Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun.

• The Earth does not move. The Sun revolves around the Earth.

What was the most likely position of the Sun to create the shadow of the object shown? (3.E.1.2)

• The Sun was in position 1.

• The Sun was in position 2.

• The Sun was in position 3.

• The Sun was in position 4.

Which best explains why the Sun and other stars appear to move across the sky in consistent patterns? (3.E.1.2)

• The Earth rotates on its axis.

• The Sun revolves around the Earth.

• The Moon changes position in the sky.

• The Moon moves with the stars.

In the morning, Rafael notices that the Sun appears on one side of the sky. In the evening, he notices that the Sun appears on the other side of the sky. However, in class, Rafael learned that the Sun does not actually move across the sky from one side to another.    Why does it appear that the Sun starts the day on one side of the sky and ends the day on the other? (3.E.1.2)

• The Sun is not real.

• The Sun rotates on its axis.

• The Earth has two Suns.

• The Earth rotates on its axis.

Last night, Haley went outside and looked at the stars in the sky. She drew the picture below to show one group of stars that she saw: Haley plans to go outside again on a clear night in two weeks. She will look for the same group of stars. How might the group of stars change in two weeks? (3.E.1.2)

• Haley will see that this group of stars will look the same.

• Haley will see that this group of stars will have less stars.

• Haley will see that this group of stars will have more stars.

• Haley will see that this group of stars will be brighter.

Which best describes Earth's position in the Solar System? (3.E.1.1)

• Earth is the second planet from the Sun.

• Earth is the third planet from the Sun.

• Earth is the fourth planet from the Sun.

• Earth is the fifth planet from the Sun.