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Earth-Sun-Moon System Test

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 5hrs 0mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which diagram below best represents the illumination of the Earth on the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere?

a)
b)
c)
d)
2.

Which statement best explains the apparent daily motion of the Sun?

a)

The Earth's shape is an oblate spheroid.

b)

The Earth's orbit is an ellipse.

c)

The Earth is closest to the Sun in winter

d)

The Earth rotates on its axis.

3.

New York State has several more hours of daylight in summer than in winter. Which statement helps explain this observation?

a)

The speed of the Earth in its orbit changes

b)

The Earth is tilted on its axis

c)

The distance between the Earth and the Sun varies

d)

The diameter of the Sun appears to change.

4.

The diagrams below represent four locations on the Earth's surface at the same time on March 21. Lines have been drawn to represent the apparent path of the sun across the sky. The present position of the Sun, the position of Polaris, and the zenith (Z) are shown for an observer at each location. What time of the day is shown by the Sun's present position at location A?

a)

midnight

b)

afternoon

c)

morning

d)

noon

5.

The diagram below shows several positions of the Earth as it moves around the Sun. Which positions show the equinoxes?

a)

A & C

b)

C & D

c)

A & B

d)

B & C

e)

B & D

6.

The diagram below shows a large pendulum in motion over an 8-hour period. What is the main reason the pendulum appears to change its direction of swing over time?

a)

tilt of Earth on its axis

b)

rotation of Earth on its axis

c)

revolution of Earth in its orbit

d)

speed of Earth in its orbit

7.

The phases of the Moon are caused by the

a)

Sun's varying distance from the Moon

b)

Moon's revolution around the Earth

c)

Moon's varying distance from the Earth

d)

Earth's revolution around the Sun

8.

The diagram below shows a model of the Moon's orbit around Earth. Letters A, B, C, and D represent four positions in the Moon's orbit. What is the approximate length of time the Moon takes to travel from position A to position C?

a)

1 day

b)

14 days

c)

8 days

d)

30 days

9.

Name two types of eclipses that involve the Sun, the Moon, and Earth (2 pts) AND Identify the phase of the Moon during each type of eclipse you named (4 pts)

4 lines
10.

The diagram below shows the Moon in four different positions, A, B, C, and D, as it orbits Earth. How does the Moon appear to an observer in New York State when the Moon is located at position A?

a)
b)
c)
d)
11.

The diagram below represents a model of the orbit of a moon around a planet. Points A, B, C, and D indicate four positions of the moon in its orbit. Points F1 and F2 are focal points of the orbit For an observer on the planet, at which position in the moon's orbit does the full-moon phase occur?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

12.

Which of the following statements best explains why it is warmer at the equator than at the North Pole?

a)

The equator has a larger area than the North Pole

b)

The equator is closer to the Sun than the North Pole

c)

The equator receives more direct sunlight than the North Pole.

d)

The equator has more hours of daylight per year than the North Pole.

13.

Which of the following diagrams best shows the relative positions of Earth, the Moon, and the Sun during a lunar eclipse?

a)
b)
c)
d)
14.

The current tilt of the Earth’s axis is approximately how many degrees?

a)

22.1

b)

22.7

c)

23.5

d)

24.1

15.

Describe the differences in tidal range between spring and neap tides. (4 pts)

4 lines
16.

What Moon phase occurs when there are spring tides? ( 1 pts)

4 lines
17.

What Moon phase occurs when there are neap tides? ( 1 pts)

4 lines
18.

Bonus: What's your favorite celestial object and why? (2 pts)

4 lines
19.

The spinning of Earth on its axis is called:

a)

rotation

b)

revolution

c)

gravity

d)

inertia

20.

What are the main differences of the Sun at solar noon in NYS on June 21st and Dec 21st.? (4 pts)

4 lines