What causes day and night on Earth?

• The Earth revolves around the Sun.

• The Earth rotates on its axis.

• The Sun moves around the Earth.

• The Moon blocks the Sun's light.

Answer explanation

Day and night on Earth are caused by the Earth rotating on its axis. As it spins, different parts of the planet face the Sun, experiencing daylight, while the opposite side is in darkness, creating night.

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Which direction does the Sun appear to rise from on Earth?

• North

• South

• East

• West

Answer explanation

The Sun appears to rise in the east due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis from west to east. This consistent pattern is observed globally, making 'East' the correct answer.

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Explain why the Sun appears to move across the sky during the day.

• The Sun is moving around the Earth.

• The Earth is rotating on its axis.

• The Moon is moving in front of the Sun.

• The Sun is changing its position in the solar system.

Answer explanation

The Sun appears to move across the sky because the Earth is rotating on its axis. As the Earth spins, different parts of its surface face the Sun, creating the illusion of the Sun moving from east to west.

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What is the approximate time it takes for Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis?

• 12 hours

• 24 hours

• 48 hours

• 365 days

Answer explanation

Earth takes approximately 24 hours to complete one full rotation on its axis, which defines a day. The other options, such as 12 hours and 48 hours, do not accurately represent this rotation period.

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How does the position of the Sun in the sky affect the size of shadows on Earth?

• Shadows are longest when the Sun is directly overhead.

• Shadows are shortest when the Sun is low in the sky.

• Shadows are longest when the Sun is low in the sky.

• Shadows do not change size throughout the day.

Answer explanation

Shadows are longest when the Sun is low in the sky because the angle of sunlight creates a larger shadow. When the Sun is directly overhead, shadows are shorter.

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Describe the path of the Sun's movement across the sky.

• The Sun moves in a straight line from north to south.

• The Sun moves in a circular path around the Earth.

• The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

• The Sun does not move; it stays in one place.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This describes the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky due to the Earth's rotation, which is a fundamental observation in astronomy.

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What causes shadows on Earth?

• The Moon blocking the Sun's light.

• The Earth's rotation.

• Objects blocking the Sun's light.

• The Sun's movement across the sky.

Answer explanation

Shadows on Earth are caused by objects blocking the Sun's light. When an object obstructs sunlight, it creates a shadow on the surface behind it, demonstrating how light interacts with solid objects.

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How does the shadow of a tree change from morning to noon?

• It gets longer.

• It gets shorter.

• It stays the same length.

• It disappears completely.

Answer explanation

As the sun rises, the angle of sunlight changes, causing the shadow of a tree to get shorter from morning to noon. At noon, the sun is at its highest point, resulting in the shortest shadow.

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Predict how the length of a shadow will change from noon to evening.

• It will get shorter.

• It will get longer.

• It will stay the same.

• It will disappear.

Answer explanation

As the sun moves from noon to evening, it is lower in the sky, causing shadows to lengthen. Therefore, the correct prediction is that the length of a shadow will get longer.

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Why does the Sun appear to set in the west?

• The Sun moves from east to west.

• The Earth rotates from west to east.

• The Sun rotates around the Earth.

• The Earth revolves around the Sun.

Answer explanation

The Sun appears to set in the west because the Earth rotates from west to east. As the Earth spins, the Sun seems to move across the sky from east to west, creating the illusion of a sunset in the west.

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