Earth and Space Review

Selena knows the Earth rotates on its axis. What evidence indicates that the Earth is rotating on its axis? Choose two correct answers.

• There is day and night.

• There are 365 days in a year.

• There are four phases of the moon.

• There is a sunrise and a sunset.

• There are four different seasons of the year.

Answer explanation

The evidence that the Earth is rotating includes the occurrence of day and night, as well as the regular pattern of sunrise and sunset. These phenomena are direct results of the Earth's rotation on its axis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How can Amais show what causes day and night on Earth using the globe and light bulb?

• by rotating the globe near the light bulb

• by turning the light bulb on and off near the globe

• by tilting the globe toward the light bulb and turning the light bulb in a circle

• by revolving the light bulb around the globe

Answer explanation

Amais can demonstrate day and night by rotating the globe near the light bulb. This simulates Earth's rotation, showing how different parts of the planet are illuminated by the light, creating day and night.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How long does it take the Earth to make one full rotation on its axis?

• 365 days

• 24 hours

• 31 days

• 12 hours

Answer explanation

The Earth takes 24 hours to complete one full rotation on its axis, which defines the length of a day. Other options like 365 days refer to its orbit around the Sun, not rotation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Sara created a sundial and measured the lengths of shadows at certain times for several days. What question can be answered from Sara’s investigation?

• During which season does a sundial work best?

• What is the relationship between the position of the Earth and the Sun?

• When and where did sundials originate?

• Can sundials also work in moonlight?

Answer explanation

Sara's investigation focuses on measuring shadows, which directly relates to how the Earth's position affects sunlight. Thus, the correct question is about the relationship between the Earth and the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

If a student wants to observe a sunset, in which direction should they look?

• East

• West

• North

• South

Answer explanation

To observe a sunset, one should look towards the west, as the sun sets in that direction. Therefore, the correct answer is West.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which of these cycles is a direct result of the Earth's rotational movement?

• Lunar cycle

• Day and night cycle

• Yearly cycle

• Moon phases

Answer explanation

The day and night cycle is directly caused by the Earth's rotation on its axis, leading to the alternation of light and darkness as different parts of the Earth face the Sun.

A student is observing the sunrise. In which direction would they be looking?

• East

• West

• North

• South

Answer explanation

A student observing the sunrise would be looking towards the East, as the sun rises in that direction. Therefore, the correct answer is East.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which of the following best explains why the sun and moon both appear to move across the sky each day?

• rotation of the Earth

• revolution of the Earth

• rotation of the Moon

• revolution of the Moon

Answer explanation

The sun and moon appear to move across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis. As the Earth rotates, different parts of its surface face the sun and moon, creating the illusion of their movement in the sky.

Mrs. Brown's class is studying how the path of the Sun crossing the sky changes during the day. Each hour a pair of students goes outside to a square Mrs. Brown has painted on the sidewalk. One student stands a ruler upright in the center of a painted square. The second student lines up the edge of a large sheet of white paper with a second painted mark on the sidewalk and traces the shadow produced by the ruler. The paper is then posted in the classroom alongside the tracing made the hour before. At what time will the shadow be shortest?

• 9:00 AM

• 10:30 AM

• 12:00 PM

• 2:30 PM

Answer explanation

The shadow is shortest at noon (12:00 PM) when the Sun is at its highest point in the sky, resulting in the least angle of the shadow. At other times, the Sun's angle causes longer shadows.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Ann was on a camping trip and noticed that the stars seemed to change position during the night. What explains the apparent movement of the stars?

• Earth's revolution makes it appear the stars are moving.

• The stars are moving away from the Earth.

• Earth's rotation makes it appear the stars are moving.

• The Milky Way is moving.

Answer explanation

The apparent movement of the stars is due to Earth's rotation on its axis. As Earth spins, the stars seem to move across the night sky, creating the illusion of their movement.