3/5/24 Earth’s Revolution & Seasons

What causes the seasons on Earth?

• The rotation of Earth on its axis

• The moon's orbit around the Earth

• The revolution of Earth around the sun

• The Earth's distance from the sun

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the revolution of Earth around the sun, which causes the seasons on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How is the Earth's axis tilted when it revolves around the sun?

• Always in the same direction

• Towards the moon

• In different directions depending on the season

• Straight up and down

Answer explanation

The Earth's axis is always tilted in the same direction when it revolves around the sun, which causes the changing seasons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What causes the variation in seasons on Earth?

• The distance between the Earth and the sun changing throughout the year

• The tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the sun

• The Earth moving in a circular orbit around the sun

• The sun moving closer to and farther from the Earth

Answer explanation

The Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun for half of Earth's revolution around the sun, causing the change in seasons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What happens during the spring equinox?

• Neither hemisphere is tilted towards the sun

• The Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun

• The Southern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun

• The Earth is closest to the sun

Answer explanation

During the spring equinox, neither hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, resulting in equal day and night lengths across the globe.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When does the summer solstice occur?

• December 21st or 22nd

• June 20th or 21st

• September 22nd or 23rd

• March 20th

Answer explanation

The summer solstice occurs on June 20th or 21st, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What marks the beginning of fall?

• Fall equinox

• Summer solstice

• Spring equinox

• Winter solstice

Answer explanation

The beginning of fall is marked by the Fall equinox, when day and night are of equal length before the days start getting shorter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere?

• During the winter solstice

• During the spring equinox

• During the fall equinox

• During the summer solstice

Answer explanation

The shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere occurs during the winter solstice when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, resulting in the shortest period of daylight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How does Earth's tilt affect the Southern hemisphere?

• It does not affect the Southern hemisphere

• It experiences opposite seasons to the Northern hemisphere

• It is always tilted towards the sun

• It experiences the same seasons as the Northern hemisphere

Answer explanation

Earth's tilt causes the Southern hemisphere to experience opposite seasons to the Northern hemisphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What happens north of 66°N during the summer solstice?

• The sun does not rise

• 24 hours of sunlight

• 24 hours of darkness

• 12 hours of daylight

Answer explanation

North of 66°N during the summer solstice experiences 24 hours of sunlight due to the tilt of the Earth's axis towards the sun, resulting in continuous daylight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is not true about Earth's distance from the sun?

• It causes the seasons

• The change in distance is small

• The Earth is closer to the sun during the Northern hemisphere's winter

• It changes as Earth revolves around the sun

Answer explanation

The correct answer is that Earth's distance from the sun does not cause the seasons. The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1