TEKS Practice (TEKS 5.9.A): Earth’s Rotation

What is the rotation of Earth?

• A. the turning of Earth on its axis

• B. the movement of Earth around the sun

• C. the movement of the sun across the sky

• D. the imaginary line that runs through Earth

What is Earth’s axis?

• A. the line the sun takes across Earth’s sky

• B. the path of Earth’s movement around the sun

• C. the imaginary line through Earth around which Earth rotates

• D. the bar that runs through Earth from north to south around which Earth rotates

What causes a shadow?

• A. A shadow is caused when there is no light.

• B. A shadow is caused by an object blocking light.

• C. A shadow is caused when Earth rotates on its axis.

• D. A shadow is caused when the sun moves across the sky.

 What would happen to the length of a day if Earth spun slower on its axis than it does

now?

• A. A day would stay the same length.

• B. A day would be longer than 24 hours.

• C. A day would be shorter than 24 hours.

• D. A day would be longer in half of the world and shorter in the other half.

What causes shadows to change and day to change to night? Write the letter of ONE

correct answer in each blank. Some answers may not be used

.

The sun rises in ​ (a)   the and sets in ​ (b)   . There is a ​ (c)   ​ of day and night. Shadows ​ ​ (d)   throughout the day.​ These changes happen because of ​ ​ (e)  

• east
• west
• cycle
• change
• earth’s rotation
•  south
• stay the same
• the sun’s movement

Which of the following are effects of Earth’s rotation? Circle TWO correct answers.

• the ocean currents

• the cycle of day and night

• the changes in shadow length

• the movement of Earth’s axis

There is a pattern in the way shadows change

as Earth rotates. Because of this pattern,

shadows can be used to predict the time of

day.

Look at the shadows in the image and predict

what time of day it is.

• There is not enough information to predict the time of day.

• It is midday because the sun is overhead, and the shadow of the tree is short.

• It is evening because the sun is rising in the east, and the shadow of the tree is long.

• It is morning because the sun is setting in the west, and the shadow of the tree is long.

Graham and Stacey made a sundial.

They placed it in a sunny area and

recorded the length of the shadow cast

by the sundial at four times during the

day. The graph shows their data.

Analyze the data. What evidence does

the data provide and what can you

predict based on this evidence? Circle

THREE correct answers.

• The longest shadow observed was at 1 p.m.

• The longest shadow observed was at 10 a.m.

• The length of the shadow changed throughout the day.

• The shadow at 9 a.m. was shorter than the shadow at 10 a.m.

• The shadow at 2 p.m. will be longer than the shadow at 1 p.m.

The model shows Earth rotating on its axis.

What would you add to this model to demonstrate the cycle of night and day, AND how

would you demonstrate the cycle of night and day?

How do shadows change throughout a day, AND what causes these changes?