Tidal Patterns and Solar Models Mini Quiz

A captain of a fishing boat notices that during a certain time each year high tides are higher and low tides are lower. Which conclusion could the captain accurately draw?

• The Moon is at the closest part of its orbit around Earth; the Sun and the Moon form a right angle with Earth.

• The Moon is at the farthest part of its orbit around Earth; the Sun and the Moon form a right angle with Earth.

• The Moon is at the closest part of its orbit around Earth; the Sun and the Moon form a straight line with Earth.

• The Moon is at the farthest part of its orbit around Earth; the Sun and the Moon form a straight line with Earth.

Brooke decides to model a solar eclipse. She attaches a large poster of the Sun to her wall to represent the Sun. She then decides that her head will represent Earth, and the direction she is facing will indicate the direction an observer on Earth is facing. She will then hold a small ball in her hand to represent the Moon.

 

To model a person watching a solar eclipse, Brooke turns her back to the "Sun," stretches out her hand, and faces the "Moon" in front of her.

 

What aspect of Brooke's model should be corrected?

• Brooke should face the Sun and hold the Moon between the Sun and herself.

• Brooke should turn so that the Sun is on her right, and hold the Moon to her left.

• Brooke should turn so that her back is to the Sun, and hold the Moon behind her.

• Brooke should turn so that the Sun is on her left, and hold the Moon in front of her.

The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occur on the day when the sun appears farthest north. How do the days for each hemisphere compare during this time?

• Both hemispheres will experience the days with the most amount of sunlight of the year.

• Both hemispheres will experience the days with the least amount of sunlight of the year.

• The northern hemisphere will experience the day with the least amount of sunlight while the southern hemisphere will experience the day with the most amount of sunlight.

• The northern hemisphere will experience the day with the most amount of sunlight while the southern hemisphere will experience the day with the least amount of sunlight.

Devin decides to model sunlight warming the Northern Hemisphere of Earth during the summer. He uses a globe to model Earth and a spherical lamp to model the Sun. Which model would be the most accurate?

• Devin tilts the North Pole slightly toward the lamp.

• Devin tilts the North Pole slightly away from the lamp.

• Devin points the North Pole straight up so the lamp shines on the equator.

• Devin points the North Pole toward the lamp so it shines directly on the pole.

Which statement represents something that would happen to Earth if the force of gravity stopped working?

• Earth would start orbiting the Moon.

• Earth would have only high ocean tides.

• Earth would begin to move closer to the Sun.

• Earth would begin to move away from the Sun.

An eclipse occurs because of a specific arrangement of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth. Which of the following describes the arrangement that causes a solar eclipse?

• The Moon moves around to the back of the Sun.

• Earth is in a line between the Sun and the Moon.

• The Moon is in a line between Earth and the Sun.

• The Sun moves between Earth and the Moon.

Both a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse involve the alignment between the Sun, Earth, and the Moon, but in different positions.

 

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

• The position of the Moon and Earth are different.

• The position of the Sun and Earth are different.

• The position of the Sun alone is different.

• The position of Earth alone is different.

Why are summer days longer than winter days on Earth?

• During the summer, Earth's rotational axis is parallel to the Sun's rotational axis.

• During the summer, Earth is at the point in its orbit when it is closest to the Sun.

• The region of Earth experiencing summer rotates past the Sun more slowly than the region experiencing winter.

• The region of Earth experiencing summer is tilted toward the Sun while the region experiencing winter is tilted away from the Sun.

When is the length of a day and night equal all over Earth?

• when the Sun is tilted toward Earth

• when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun

• when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun

• when neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the Sun

Which statement explains why different amounts of the Moon are visible at different times of the month?

• As the Moon moves along its orbit, it passes through Earth's shadow.

• As the Moon moves along its orbit, sunlight hits it from different sides.

• As Earth moves along its orbit, its shadow falls on different parts of the Moon.

• As the Moon moves along its orbit, we see part of the side that is always dark.