Earth's Rotation and Shadow Patterns

Which event in nature determines the length of one Earth day, or 24 hours?

• the time Earth takes to complete its journey around the Sun

• the time Earth takes to complete one rotation around its axis

• the time the Moon takes to complete its journey around Earth

• the time the Sun takes to complete its journey around Earth

The illustration shows two students using a model of the Earth and the Sun. How can they use the model to show the cycle of day and night? Select TWO correct answers,

• The boy can move the flashlight around the ball.

• The boy can hold the flashlight still and keep it on.

• The boy can hold the flashlight still and turn it on and off

• The girl can move the ball around the flashlight.

• The girl can rotate the ball or spin it around its axis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Observe the photo shown here. The students in Mrs. Rico’s science class are guessing the time of day when the photo was taken. Whoever guesses closest to the actual time will win a prize. Kenja guesses 7:00 a.m., just after sunrise. Danielle guesses 5:00 p.m., just before sunset. Which of the two students, if either, is more likely to be the winner?

• Kenja

• Danielle

• Either Kenja or Danielle, because the likely time is close to 12:00 noon.

• Either Kenja or Danielle, because both guessed times that are equally likely.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Earth rotates, or spins, on its axis. Which two observations or patterns are direct effects of this rotation? Select TWO correct answers.

• Climates are warmer near the equator and become cooler away from the equator.

• The seasons follow each other in a cycle that repeats every year.

• Daytime and night follow each other in a cycle that repeats every day.

• The Moon appears to change shape in a cycle that repeats about every month.

• The Sun appears to rise in the east, climb across the sky, and set to the west.

The diagram shows a tree and its shadow. It also shows three labeled positions in the sky. For the Sun to form this shadow, which is its MOST LIKELY position in the sky?

• location A only

• location B only

• location C only

• either location A or location C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Match the description of outdoor shadows to the time of day. Assume that the shadows are cast only by the Sun.

• long shadows that point to the west

• early morning

• long shadows that point to the west

• late afternoon

• long shadows that point to the east

• 12:00 noon

• short shadows

• night

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which places have daytime and nighttime at almost the same times that they occur in Dallas, Texas? Select TWO correct answers.

• a city to the north of Dallas, such as Minneapolis, Minnesota

• a city to the south of Dallas, such as Mexico City, Mexico

• a city to the east of Dallas, such as Columbia, South Carolina

• a city to the west of Dallas, such as San Francisco, California

Chelsea is shining a flashlight on a small flagpole in a dimly lit room. She is using the flashlight and flagpole to model the shadows cast by the Sun.

• Turn the flashlight on and off

• Move the flashlight in an arching path above the table.

• Move the flagpole in a circular path around the table.

• Tilt the flagpole to the left and then to the right.

Tags

NGSS.4-PS4-2

NGSS.5-ESS1-2