Earth's Rotation and Day-Night Cycle Quiz

The movement of Earth causes natural changes we can observe. Why does Earth have a day-and-night cycle AND what evidence is there for the day-and-night cycle of Earth? Read the question carefully. Then write your answer and evidence on the lines provided.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B. Quinlan investigates what causes his shadow to change throughout the day. He stands on the playground at different times and his friend traces his shadow with chalk as seen here. Part A: Which statement BEST explains why Quinlan’s shadow changes position and size throughout the day?

• The sun moves around Earth in a 24-hour cycle.

• The sun moves across the sky from sunrise to sunset.

• Earth’s rotation causes a change in the position of the sun in the sky.

• Earth’s revolution around the sun causes a change in the position of the sun in the sky.

Tags

NGSS.5-ESS1-2

Part B: Which statement BEST identifies how the length of Quinlan’s shadow changes throughout the day?

• Quinlan’s shadow gradually grows in length from sunrise to sunset.

• Quinlan’s shadow gradually shortens in length from sunrise to sunset.

• Quinlan’s shadow is longest at noon and shortest in the morning and evening.

• Quinlan’s shadow is shortest at noon and longest in the morning and evening.

Tags

NGSS.5-ESS1-2

Emma observes the sunrise and sunset times on three dates in San Antonio, Texas. Using Emma’s data as evidence, which of these statements are correct? Circle THREE correct answers.

• There is more daylight on August 11 than on June 17.

• There are fewer than 12 hours of nighttime on June 17.

• There are 13 hours and 15 minutes of daylight on August 11.

• The hours of daylight and nighttime are the same on March 16.

• The nighttime is the longest in June and the shortest in March.

Tags

NGSS.5-ESS1-2

Spinning of the Earth on its axis is called...

• rotation
• revolution
• orbit
• double axis

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes day and night cycles?

• mars
• seasons
• earths rotation
• moon phases

Tags

NGSS.5-ESS1-2

How long is Earth's rotation?

• 24 hours
• 48 hours
• 36 hours
• 12 hours

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6