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Equinox & Solstice

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 5mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

How does the tilt of Earth's axis affect the length of the days?

a)

It affects the length of the sun's path across the sky

b)

When one hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, the earth's orbit slows down

c)

It has nothing to do with the length of the day

d)

It brings one side of the plants closer to the sun

2.

In Australia, which day falls closest to January 1?

a)

The vernal equinox

b)

The autumnal equinox

c)

The summer solstice

d)

The winter solstice

3.

The Latin word "nox" was originally the name of a goddess. From what Tim says in the movie, what can you infer about this goddess?

a)

She was the goddess of night

b)

She was the goddess of the seasons

c)

She was the goddess of the sun

d)

She was the goddess of springtime

4.

On June 21, which of the following areas experiences the longest day?

a)

The equator

b)

The north pole

c)

The tropic of cancer

d)

The south pole

5.

How does the sun "stand still" at the solstice, as the Latin origin of the word suggests?

a)

The sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours everywhere in the world

b)

The sun literally stops moving in the sky

c)

The sun's path through the sky appears to stop shifting for a few days

d)

The sun does not rise or set

6.

Why is summer warmer than winter?

a)

The hemisphere experiencing summer is tilted more directly toward the sun

b)

During summer, the entire planet is closer to the sum

c)

The sun radiates more energy during the summer

d)

The earth spins slower on its axis during the summer

7.

If I took a picture of the sun at midnight, when and where could I have taken it from?

a)

June 21 near the South Pole

b)

June 21 near the North Pole

c)

March 21 near the equator

d)

September 21 near the equator

8.

Unlike the poles, where the length of each day changes drastically throughout the year, the length of each day at the equator is:

a)

Long

b)

Short

c)

Variable

d)

Consistent

9.

During the equinoxes, the sun's rays are perpendicular to the earth's axis. Which of the following depicts a perpendicular angle?

a)
b)
c)
d)
10.

What happens after the vernal equinox?

a)

The days get longer

b)

The days get shorter

c)

The days stay the same length

d)

The earth moves closer to the sun