Earth's Seasons and Tides Quiz

What is the primary reason Earth experiences seasons?

• Earth's distance from the Sun changes throughout the year

• Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbit around the Sun

• Earth rotates at different speeds during the year

• The Sun's energy output increases and decreases

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, sunlight strikes Earth at a:

• Lower angle, spreading energy over more area

• Higher angle, concentrating energy on less area

• Constant angle, equal all year

• 45° angle, regardless of season

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which statement best describes what happens during an equinox?

• One hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, resulting in longer daylight hours

• The Sun is directly overhead at the equator, resulting in equal daylight and night hours.

• The North Pole has 24 hours of daylight

• The South Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun, resulting in shorter daylight hours.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

At the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences:

• The longest day and shortest night of the year

• Equal day and night

• The shortest day of the year

• The Sun directly over the equator

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes ocean tides on Earth?

• Winds and ocean currents

• The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun

• Earth's rotation speed

• Changes in atmospheric pressure

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Spring tides occur when:

• The Sun and Moon are at right angles

• The Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned

• The Earth is tilted most toward the Sun

• The Moon is at apogee

Answer explanation

A spring tide is when high tides are exceptionally high and low tides are very low because the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned, creating a stronger gravitational pull that maximizes the tidal range.

A neap tide is when high tides are less high and low tides are less low, resulting in a smaller tidal range, because the Sun and Moon are at right angles to Earth, causing their gravitational forces to partially cancel each other out

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Gravity is responsible for:

• Keeping planets in orbit around the Sun

• Changing Earth's axial tilt

• Creating energy in the Sun

• Speeding up Earth's rotation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which best connects Earth, Moon, and Sun motions to patterns on Earth?

• Earth's tilt → seasons; Moon's gravity → tides

• Earth's orbit → daily rotation; Moon's tilt → seasons

• Sun's movement → Earth's day; Earth's distance → tides

• Moon's orbit → equinoxes; Sun's gravity → Earth's tilt

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Explain how Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun work together to create the pattern of seasons.

• The tilt and orbit cause the Sun to rise and set

• The tilt and orbit change the distance from the Sun

• The tilt and orbit result in varying sunlight angles and day lengths, causing seasons

• The tilt and orbit have no effect on seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Describe the role of the Moon's gravity in producing tides on Earth. Include an explanation of why both the Sun and the Moon influence tides, but the Moon has the greater effect.

• The Moon's gravity causes tides, and the Sun has no effect

• The Sun's gravity causes tides, and the Moon has no effect

• Both the Sun and Moon influence tides, but the Moon's gravity is stronger because it is closer to Earth

• Tides are caused only by Earth's rotation

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4