3.1.4 Days and Season

When the sun sets, what is actually moving?

• The sun is moving away.

• The Earth is moving.

• The moon is blocking the sun.

• The clouds are covering the sun.

Answer explanation

It looks like the sun is moving down below the horizon, but it's actually an illusion! It's our planet Earth that is constantly spinning, turning us away from the sun's light, which makes it look like the sun is disappearing.

Our planet is continuously moving in two ways: rotating and...

• tilting

• spinning

• revolving

• shifting

Answer explanation

Earth is like a giant spaceship doing two dances at once. The first dance is rotating (spinning like a top). The second dance is revolving (moving in a giant circle around the sun).

Today we will learn about the Earth's rotational and (a)   movements.

Answer explanation

These are the two most important moves Earth makes. Rotational describes its spin, and revolution describes its orbit around the sun.

The imaginary line that passes through the Earth's center is called the:

• Orbit

• Axis

• Equator

• Pole

Answer explanation

If you were to poke a giant, invisible stick right through the centre of the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole, that would be the axis. It's the line that Earth spins around.

The circular movement of an object spinning around its axis is called:

• Revolution

• Rotation

• Circulation

Answer explanation

Rotation is a fancy word for spinning. Anything that spins around its own centre—like a basketball on your finger or a toy top—is rotating.

What do we experience on Earth because of its rotation?

• Years

• Seasons

• Weather

• Days and Night

Answer explanation

Because the Earth is always spinning (rotating), half of the planet is always facing the sun (having daytime) and the other half is facing away (having nighttime). One full spin gives us one full day and one full night.

What causes it to be daytime on one part of the Earth?

• That part is facing toward the sun.

• The moon is gone.

• That part is facing away from the sun.

• The clouds have cleared.

Answer explanation

Imagine the sun is a giant lamp. If you turn to face the lamp, you are in the light. That's daytime! When your back is to the lamp, you are in the dark. That's nighttime.

How long does it take for the Earth to complete one full rotation?

• 365 days

• 7 days

• 24 hours

• 30 days

Answer explanation

It takes Earth exactly 24 hours—which is one whole day—to spin around once completely. That's why we have 24 hours in a day!

How long does it take for the Earth to complete one full rotation?

• 365 days

• 7 days

• 24 hours

• 30 days

Answer explanation

It takes Earth exactly 24 hours—which is one whole day—to spin around once completely. That's why we have 24 hours in a day!

If rotation makes a day, what movement makes a year?

• Rotation

• Revolution

• Spinning

• Tilting

Answer explanation

Rotation (spinning) gives us our days. Revolution (the trip around the sun) is a much longer journey and gives us our years.