Mystery Science

If the Earth were to spin around its axis twice as fast as it does right now, what would happen?

• The day would be twice as long and the night would be half as long.

• The day would be half as long and the night would be twice as long.

• The day would be twice as long and the night would be twice as long.

• The day would be half as long and the night would be half as long.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Look at the image above. If the Sun is in this position in the sky, what time is it most likely?

• 9:00 am

• 11:00 am

• 3:00 pm

• 9:00 pm

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The image above shows the path of the Sun across the sky during different seasons when viewed from the Earth. Which season does each path represent?

• 1 = summer, 2 = winter, 3 = spring and fall

• 1 = summer, 2 = spring and fall, 3 = winter

• 1 = winter, 2 = summer, 3 = spring and fall

• 1 = winter, 2 = spring and fall, 3 = summer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The Moon appears to change shape during the month because _____________.

• different parts of the Moon light up at different times.

• the Earth’s shadow moves across the Moon.

• the Moon orbits the Earth so the angle of the Sun’s reflection changes.

• the Moon is spinning so the Sun shines on different parts.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

This graph shows the average number of daylight hours during each month of the year in San Francisco, California. (San Francisco is in the Northern Hemisphere.) Which months in the graph are the summer months?

• Months B, C, and D.

• Months E, F, and G.

• Months H, I, and J.

• Months K, L, and A.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

You look up at the night sky and see the constellation Scorpius. What season is it?

• spring

• summer

• fall

• winter

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which picture shows the direction gravity will pull each person?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.3-PS2-1

NGSS.5-PS2-1

These two photographs of the same dog were taken in two different seasons. Which photograph, A or B, was taken during winter? Which answer is correct and gives the correct reasoning?

• Photograph A was probably taken during winter because the shadows are longer. The Sun takes a lower path across the sky during winter. When the Sun is lower in the sky, the shadows are longer because of the angle of the Sun.

• Photograph B was probably taken during winter because the shadows are shorter. The Sun takes a lower path across the sky during winter. When the Sun is lower in the sky, the shadows are shorter because of the angle of the Sun.

• Photograph A was probably taken during winter because the shadows are longer. The Sun takes a higher path across the sky during winter. When the Sun is higher in the sky, the shadows are longer because of the angle of the Sun.

• Photograph B was probably taken during winter because the shadows are shorter. The Sun takes a higher path across the sky during winter. When the Sun is higher in the sky, the shadows are shorter because of the angle of the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Sometimes people make simple drawings of our Solar System like this one above. But now that you know more about the planets, what details does this drawing leave out?

• The planets are out of order and Jupiter is not as long as before.

• This drawing is wrong because the planets are drawn close together. They are actually very far apart from each other, separated by lots of space and distance.The Sun is also much, much larger than any of the planets. The planets are also very different sizes from one another.

• This drawing is wrong because the planets are drawn close together. They are actually very far apart from each other, separated by lots of space and distance.The Sun is also much, much smaller than any of the planets. The planets are also the same size.

• The drawing is correct. There is nothing wrong with the model.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The picture above shows the same person jumping as high as they can on two imaginary planets, Creon and Grumpia. Which planet has more gravity? Choose the answer that has the correct reasoning.

• Grumpia has more gravity than Creon because the person is able to jump as high. Planets with more gravity are more massive. So Grumpia must be more massive than Creon.

• Grumpia has more gravity than Creon because the person is able to jump as high. Planets with less gravity are less massive. So Grumpia must be less massive than Creon.

• Creon has more gravity than Grumpia because the person is not able to jump as high. Planets with more gravity are more massive. So Creon must be more massive than Grumpia.

• Creon has more gravity than Grumpia because the person is not able to jump as high. Planets with more gravity are less massive. So Creon must be less massive than Grumpia.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4