Earth and Moon Study Guide

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. What would be the most important feature to add to the model and why?

• The Earth should make a perfect circle around the Sun so 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

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

• Earth revolves around the Sun on an axis, and it is day only.

• 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 blocks the Sun from certain parts of Earth at different times.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The model below 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

A student created the following model to show how the moon looks from earth at different locations in its orbit: Which is NOT an improvement that could be made to this model?

• The locations of the full moon and new moon should be reversed

• The two crescent phases should be illuminated on different sides

• The shape of the gibbous phases should be changed

• The two quarter phases should be illuminated on different sides

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The diagrams show four students' models of the Moon's position around Earth for each of the Moon's phases, viewed from above the North Pole. Which student model is correct?

• Marcus

• Asia

• Tamika

• Damon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A student creates the following model to show the phases of the Moon on the North Pole. When the Moon is in the position shown, how would the Moon look to an observer on the North Pole?

• View A

• View B

• View C

• View D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which argument regarding the earth's tilt, the earth's orbit, and the seasons on Earth is correct?

• The Earth's orbit and the Earth's tilt cause the seasons on Earth.

• The Earth's orbit and the seasons on Earth cause the Earth's tilt.

• The Earth's tilt and the seasons on Earth cause the Earth's orbit.

• The Earth's tilt, the seasons on Earth, and the Earth's orbit are not related.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A student observes and documents the average length of daytime from sunrise to sunset for six months of the year in Atlanta, Georgia. Which of the following explanations BEST explains the difference in the data between the months?

• Days are longer and nights are shorter in summer. Days are shorter and nights are longer in winter. The change in the length of days and nights is caused by the Earth's tilt and seasons.

• Days are shorter and nights are longer in summer. Days are shorter and nights are shorter in winter. The change in the length of days and nights is caused by the Earth's tilt and seasons.

• Days are longer and nights are shorter in summer. Days are shorter and nights are longer in winter. The change in the length of days and nights is caused by the speed of Earth's rotation.

• Days are shorter and nights are longer in summer. Days are shorter and nights are shorter in winter. The change in the length of days and nights is caused by the speed of Earth's rotation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A student wonders why it is colder in the winter than in the summer. Which of the following explanations BEST explains these temperature differences?

• There are less daylight hours and there are less direct rays from the sun.

• There are less daylight hours and there are more direct rays from the sun.

• There are more daylight hours and there are less direct rays from the sun.

• There are more daylight hours and there are more direct rays from the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6