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Earth's motions and seasons

Total questions: 70

Worksheet time: 2hrs 45mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
One complete revolution of Earth around the sun takes about
a)
one rotation.
b)
one season.
c)
one year.
d)
one eclipse.
2.
Earth has seasons because
a)
it rotates on its axis.
b)
its axis is tilted as it revolves around the sun.
c)
the distance between Earth and the sun changes.
d)
the temperature of the sun changes.
3.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs when the sun is
a)

directly over the equator.

b)
shining directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, the point farthest south it will ever be.
c)
closest to Earth.
d)
shining directly over the Tropic of Cancer, the point farthest north it will ever be.
4.
The Earth's orbit around the Sun is in the shape of a/an
a)
circle.
b)
eclipse.
c)
sphere.
d)
ellipse.
5.
We experience this season when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun?
a)
spring
b)
summer
c)
fall
d)
winter
6.
Earth's rotation takes about
a)
365 days.
b)
6 months.
c)
24 hours.
d)
1 month.
7.
Day and night are caused by
a)
the tilt of Earth's axis.
b)
Earth's revolution around the sun.
c)
eclipses.
d)
Earth's rotation on its axis.
8.
An equinox occurs when
a)
neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun.
b)
the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun.
c)
the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun.
d)
Earth's axis is parallel to the sun's rays.
9.
When we are experiencing the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is the Southern Hemisphere experiencing?
a)
spring
b)
summer
c)
fall
d)
winter
10.
The times when daytime and night time are of equal length (both 12 hours long) are called
a)
the summer and winter solstice.
b)
the summer and winter equinox.
c)
the spring and fall solstice.
d)
the spring and fall equinox.
11.
When the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest daytime and the longest night time it is the
a)
summer solstice.
b)
winter solstice.
c)
fall equinox.
d)
spring equinox.
12.
Why is it generally warmer near the equator than it is near the poles?
a)
the equator receives more direct sunlight
b)
the poles receive more direct sunlight
c)
the equator is closer to the sun
d)
the poles are closer to the sun
13.
Which of the following is FALSE? 
a)
The Earth experiences day/night based on its rotation; the side that is illuminated is daytime
b)
The Earth's orbit is elliptically shaped; where we are closest to the Sun is called aphelion
c)
Different parts of the Earth experience different amounts of direct sunlight thus receive different heat densities
d)
We perceive the Sun moving through the sky in its arced path due to viewing it from a rotating body (it is us doing the moving)
14.
IF the Earth's axial tilt were more dramatic than it is (greater than 23.5), which of the following would be true?  
a)
we would have more direct sunlight during the summer, thus hotter summers
b)
we would have a shorter day
c)
we would experience warmer winters
d)
there is no way to determine what would happen
15.
In this simple diagram, the motion of both the blue and yellow dots can best be described as -
a)
Rotation
b)
Revolution
16.
In this diagram, the motion of the EARTH can best be described as -
a)
Rotation
b)
Revolution
17.
What causes your shadow to change throughout the day?
a)
The Earth's orbit
b)
The moon's reflection
c)
The Earth's rotation
d)
How much you ate for lunch
18.

Which of the following best explains why the tilt of Earth on its axis creates the seasons? Because the axis of Earth is tilted

a)

the angle of sunlight varies on different parts of Earth at different times.

b)

the amount of time it takes for the light to reach Earth changes a little throughout the year.

c)

the surface area of Earth is not constant at all parts of its orbit.

d)

the north pole of Earth will always be pointed away from the Sun, making it colder.

19.
When the Northern Hemisphere of Earth is Leaning away from the Sun, What season is the Southern Hemisphere experiencing?
a)
Summer
b)
Winter
c)
Spring
d)
Fall
20.

What season is it in New Jersey at letter A?

a)

Winter

b)

Summer

c)

Spring

d)

Fall

21.
What is letter B's Equinox date?
a)
June 21
b)
December 21
c)
March 21
d)
September 21
22.
In the summer many people enjoy going to the beach. There is a beautiful beach in Argentina, which is located in the Southern Hemisphere. Which diagram shows the position of Earth when it is summer in Argentina?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
23.
The Earth's axis is tilted _____ degrees.
a)
23.5
b)
25.3
c)
30.2
d)
24
24.
At position A, which hemisphere would have summer?
a)
Northern hemisphere
b)
Southern hemisphere
25.
The term equinox means....
a)
equal amount of day light and equal amount of night
b)
Equal amount of winter and summer
c)
Equal amounts of hot dogs for everyone
d)
The longest day of the year
26.
Which season is taking place in the Northern Hemisphere in Position 1?
a)
Winter
b)
Spring
c)
Summer
d)
Fall
27.
Which season is taking place in the Northern Hemisphere in Position 3?
a)
Winter
b)
Spring
c)
Summer
d)
Fall
28.

During what month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

a)

January

b)

June

c)

September

d)

December

29.
The place where a planet is closest to the Sun as it orbits the Sun is called the
a)
perihelion
b)
aphelion
30.
The place where a planet is farthest away from the Sun in its orbit around the Sun is called the
a)
aphelion
b)
perihelion
31.

Which way to the global winds blow in each hemisphere?

a)

east to west in Northern Hemisphere and west to east in the Southern Hemisphere

b)

west to east in Northern Hemisphere and east to west in Southern Hemisphere

c)

North to south in the Northern Hemisphere and south to north in Southern Hemisphere

d)

south to north in the Northern Hemisphere and north to south in the Southern Hemisphere

32.

The diagram shows some examples of how surface winds are deflected in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres because of Earth's rotation. Earth's rotation causes winds to be deflected to the _______.

a)

left in the Northern Hemisphere and right in the Southern Hemisphere

b)

left in both the Northern and Southern Hemispehres

c)

right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere

d)

right in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

33.

As viewed from Earth, most stars appear to move across the sky each night because

a)

stars orbit around Earth

b)

Earth rotates on its axis

c)

stars revolve around the center of the galaxy

d)

Earth revolves around the Sun

34.

Which observation provides the best evidence that Earth rotates?

a)

The length of the shadow cast by a flagpole at noontime changes from season to season.

b)

The direction of swing of a freely swinging pendulum changes during the day.

c)

The position of the planets among the stars changes during the year.

d)

The location of the constellations in relationship to Polaris changes from month to month.

35.
The coriolis effect is another proof of earth's rotation. This effect causes winds and ocean currents to be deflected to the _____________ in the Northern Hemisphere.
a)
right
b)
left
c)
north
d)
south
36.
If the earth rotated slower, how would that affect the length of the day?
a)
longer day
b)
shorter day
c)
same time,  24 hours
37.
Earth’s approximate rate of revolution is
a)
1° per day
b)
 15° per day
c)
180° per day
d)
360° per day
38.
 The diagram below represents the apparent positions of the Big Dipper, with respect to Polaris, as seen by an observer in New York State at midnight on the first day of summer and on the first day of winter.
The change in the apparent position of the Big Dipper between the first day of summer and the first day of winter is best explained by Earth
a)
rotating for 12 hours
b)
rotating for 1 day
c)
revolving for 6 months
d)
revolving for 1 year
39.
The diagram below represents a Foucault pendulum that is swinging back and forth.
Which diagram best represents the change in the motion of a Foucault pendulum that provides evidence of Earth’s rotation?
a)
diagram 1
b)
diagram 2
c)
diagram 3
d)
diagram 4
40.

The constellation Pisces changes position during a night, as shown in the diagram below.

Which motion is mainly responsible for this change in position?

a)

revolution of Earth around the Sun

b)

rotation of Earth on its axis

c)

revolution of Pisces around the Sun

d)

rotation of Pisces on its axis

41.

To a nighttime observer on Earth, how many degrees do the stars appear to move around Polaris in 3 hours?

a)

60°

b)

45°

c)

90°

d)

15°

42.

Where is the sun directly overhead on December 21?

a)

The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees S)

b)

The south pole

c)

The Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees N)

d)

The equator

43.

Where is the sun directly overhead on June 21?

a)

The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees S)

b)

The north pole

c)

The Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees N)

d)

The equator

44.

Where is the sun directly overhead on March 21?

a)

The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees S)

b)

The north pole

c)

The Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees N)

d)

The equator

45.

What time is at position 1?

a)

12 p.m. (noon)

b)

9 a.m.

c)

3 p.m.

d)

6 a.m.

46.

Which date is represented by the diagram?

a)

March 21

b)

June 21

c)

September 21

d)

December 21

47.

On which day do observers in New York State experience the greatest duration of insolation?

a)

March 21

b)

June 21

c)

September 23

d)

December 21

48.

What time is at position 3?

a)

12 p.m. (noon)

b)

9 a.m.

c)

3 p.m.

d)

6 p.m.

49.

How many degrees per hour does the Sun appear to move across the sky?

a)

41 degrees

b)

23.5 degrees

c)

90 degrees

d)

15 degrees

50.
Very cold climates occur at Earth’s North and South Poles because the polar regions
a)
are usually farthest from the Sun
b)
absorb the greatest amount of insolation
c)
receive the most hours of daylight
d)
receive low-angle insolation
51.
In New York State, the risk of sunburn is greatest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on summer days because
a)
The air temperature is hot
b)
The angle of insolation is high
c)
Earth's surface reflects most of the sunlight
d)
The Sun is closest to the Earth
52.
State the day represented by Sun's Path Z.
a)
September 23
b)
December 21
c)
March 20
d)
June 21
53.

What would most likely happen to New York State's summer and winter temperatures if the tilt of Earth's axis increased from 23.5° to 30°?

a)

Both the summers and winters would become cooler.

b)

Both the summers and winters would become warmer.

c)

The summers would become cooler and the winters would become warmer

d)

The summers would become warmer and the winters would become cooler.

54.

How many hours (h) of daylight are received at the Arctic Circle when Earth is at position A?

a)

0hrs

b)

12hrs

c)

18hrs

d)

24hrs

55.

Which diagram best represents the regions of Earth in sunlight on June 21 and December 21? [NP indicates the North Pole and the shading represents Earth's night side. Diagrams are not drawn to scale.]

a)
b)
c)
d)
56.

The model shows the apparent path of the Sun as seen by an observer in New York State on the first day of one of the four seasons.

a)

Spring

b)

Summer

c)

Fall

d)

Winter

57.

The diagram represents the horizon and the Sun's apparent paths, A, B, and C, on three different dates, as viewed from the same location in New York State. Which table correctly shows the dates on which the apparent paths of the Sun were observed?

a)
b)
c)
d)
58.

Which diagram represents the apparent path of the Sun on March 21 for an observer at the equator?

a)
b)
c)
d)
59.

During which month does the Sun appear to rise farthest north of due east for an observer in New York State?

a)

December

b)

January

c)

June

d)

July

60.

Which rays are DIRECT? A or B

a)

A

b)

B

61.

Which season is represented by this figure?

a)

Winter

b)

Summer

62.

Which choice matches the date with the correct location of sunrise and sunset

a)

June - NE, NW Sept/March - E, W December - SE, SW

b)

June - SE, SW Sept/March - E, W December - NE, NW

c)

June - E, W Sept/March - NE, NW December - SE, SW

d)

June - NE, NW Sept/March - SE, SW December - E, W

63.

During which day of the year is the Sun most likely to follow the apparent path shown?

a)

March 1

b)

July 1

c)

October 1

d)

December 1

64.

The observer had the longest shadow when the Sun was at position

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

65.

This room is located in a building in Connecticut. On which side of the building is the window located?

a)

north

b)

south

c)

east

d)

west

66.

From sunrise to sunset at location B, the length of the observer's shadow will

a)

increase, only

b)

decrease, only

c)

increase, then decrease

d)

decrease, then increase

67.

Where on Earth's surface is the observer at location C located?

a)

at the Equator

b)

at the South Pole

c)

at the North Pole

d)

in Oswego, New York

68.

According to the Sun's actual position shown in the diagrams, the most intense insolation is being received by the observer at location

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

69.

What direction would the person at location D have to look in order to see the sun?

a)

north

b)

south

c)

east

d)

west

70.

Where on Earth is the observer at location A most likely located?

a)

At the equator

b)

At the north pole

c)

At the south pole

d)

in Oswego New York

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