Some ocean currents are caused by differences in the density of water from place to place around the globe. What two factors cause differences in ocean water density?

The temperature on land around the equator stays about the same throughout the year. This is because this area

When the earth's axis points towards the sun, it is __________ for that hemisphere.

A solar eclipse can ONLY occur when the moon is in which phase?

A total solar eclipse is a rare event. Although they occur somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average, it is estimated that they recur at any given place only once every 370 years. Why are reoccurring solar eclipses so rare?

Using the set-up seen here, Ms. Garcia places a golf ball between the globe and the flashlight. Turning off the lights in the room, she shines a flashlight from behind the golf ball. The students observe the shadow of the golf ball falling on the globe. What is this setup trying to model?

In the oceans the colder water sinks into deep basins, while warmer water stays closer to the surface. The water then moves around the ocean basin. This causes

When Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, the fully lit face of the Moon is seen from Earth. This phase of the Moon is called a _______ moon.

As the phases of the moon change, and we move from step C to D and back to A, we would say that the moon is __________, or the view of the moon we see is getting smaller.

When the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, how is the Moon most likely seen?

When the Moon, Earth, and Sun are lined up as seen here, the gravity of the sun plus the gravity of the moon cause __________ tides on Earth.

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere begins December 21 or 22, when the North Pole is tilted a full 23.5° away from the sun. This day is known as the winter solstice. The angle of the sun is the lowest and the Northern Hemisphere has the least amount of daylight. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, that part of the Earth receives more direct rays of sunlight during the daytime than the Southern Hemisphere does. During the summer, the land, oceans, and atmosphere in the Northern Hemisphere receive more direct rays of sunlight and

Both the Moon and the Sun influence the tides on Earth. The moon has a much greater influence though. Why is that?

Most coastal areas on Earth experience two high tides and two low tides every lunar day. What is a lunar day? Our days on Earth are 24-hour solar days, the time that it takes for a specific site on the Earth to rotate from an exact point under the sun to the same point under the sun. A lunar day is the time it takes for a specific site on the Earth to rotate from an exact point under the moon to the same point under the moon. A lunar day is 24 hours and 50 minutes. That means a lunar day is 50 minutes longer than a solar day. Does the graph seen here match the description? Correctly explain your answer choice.

Compare this image of a partial solar eclipse to that of a total solar eclipse. Which argument accounts for the difference in what you see during the partial solar eclipse?

The image above is a model showing the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth during a solar eclipse. Which conclusion can be drawn from these celestial bodies being in this alignment?

As a wave moves towards the shore into shallower water, the wave length ____________ and its height ____________.

Determine which scientific model represents the waning moon as the moon orbits Earth, as seen from the northern hemisphere.

Twice each lunar month, all year long, these tides occur. Whenever the Moon, Earth and Sun are aligned, the gravitational pull of the sun ______ to that of the moon causing ______ tides.

When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not in a straight line, the Sun's pull ______ to or ______ with the Moon's pull, resulting in a ______ tide.

This photograph was taken as the moon was beginning to pass between the Earth and the Sun. When the Earth, moon, and sun align in perfect position, which phenomenon would the next picture show?

Examine the phases of the moon at the top. The fourth image is replaced by a question mark. Which statements below correctly predict the next stage of the lunar cycle? Select ALL that apply.

Listed in the Item Bank are some important labels for sections of the image below. Drag and drop each label to the corresponding area it identifies in the image. Identify the correct phase for each numbered section in the diagram.

To help teach his class about the earth and the sun, Mr. Rogers built a model of our solar system. The biggest ball is the sun, and it sits in the center, with the planets spread out around it, like in this picture. He then asked the class to explain what is actually happening to cause the day/night cycle on earth to occur. Below are some of the thoughts of students in the class. Sort them according to whether they are true or false.

Which of the following statements is correct about the cause of the day/night cycle?

Here is a diagram showing the moon and its phases. Correctly match the phases of the moon listed below with the letter that corresponds to their location.

Can you match the tide with the correct phase of the moon?

Most objects in the sky follow predictable movement patterns. These patterns are caused by rotations and orbits. The Sun, moon, and Earth all have individual patterns of movement, which affects the way we see objects in the sky. Think about how movement affects the way we see the moon and how it impacts patterns of sunlight.

Sunlight is more intense on certain parts of the Earth during different seasons because of the Earth's axial tilt.

The moon orbits the Sun and the Sun orbits Earth.

The Sun and moon are approximately the same size.

Match the following descriptions to the correct celestial object or event: 1. This is a massive ball of plasma that shines because of thermonuclear fusion in its core. 2. This is the star at the center of the Solar System around which the Earth and other matter orbit. 3. This is a natural satellite that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called the primary. 4. This occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is completely or partially obscured. 5. This occurs when the Moon passes through some portion of the Earth's shadow. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely.

Drag and drop the terms to correctly complete the prompt. Before Copernicus, the general thought was that the earth was the center of the universe. The fact that the sun rose in the and set in the appeared to confirm this thinking. With advancements in technology including the astronomers have been able to disprove this idea. The rotation of the earth (as seen from looking at the South Pole) creates the appearance of the sun moving across the sky. This also explains why the location of the in the night move a little each night as well. The fact that the earth the sun also helps explain our observations of the night sky.

Drag the item from the item bank to its corresponding match. Can you tell the difference between these?

Look at the diagram showing the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Which type of eclipse is being shown?

During a science lab, students were instructed to create a model of the Moon's phases using a paper plate and chocolate sandwich cookies as shown here. Select the cookie that represents a first-quarter moon by clicking on the image. Selected answers appear shaded.