Earth's Rotation, Orbit, and Space Physics Quiz

What causes the day and night cycle on Earth?

• Earth's rotation on its axis
• Earth's orbit around the Sun
• The Moon's phases
• The tilt of Earth's axis

How long does it take for Earth to complete one rotation on its axis?

• 12 hours
• 24 hours
• 365 days
• 28 days

In which direction does Earth rotate when viewed from above the North Pole?

• Clockwise
• Anticlockwise
• It alternates between clockwise and anticlockwise
• It doesn't rotate

What is the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky due to Earth's rotation?

• East to west
• West to east
• North to south
• South to north

Approximately how long does it take for Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun?

• 24 hours
• 28 days
• 365 days
• 1000 days

What two factors combine to cause Earth's seasons?

• Earth's orbital motion and rotation speed
• Earth's orbital motion and axial tilt
• Earth's rotation and the Moon's phases
• Earth's axial tilt and the Sun's temperature

When does a hemisphere experience spring/summer?

• When it's tilted towards the Sun
• When it's tilted away from the Sun
• When it's perpendicular to the Sun
• When it's closest to the Sun in its orbit

What are equinoxes?

• Points in Earth's orbit when one hemisphere is most tilted towards the Sun
• Points in Earth's orbit when day and night are equal length globally
• Times when the Moon is closest to Earth
• Days when the Sun is directly overhead at the equator

In June, which hemisphere experiences summer?

• Northern Hemisphere
• Southern Hemisphere
• Eastern Hemisphere
• Western Hemisphere

Which of these cities would experience winter in June?

• New York
• London
• Beijing
• Sydney