Rotation vs. Revolution
Seasons, Solstices, & Equinoxes
Lunar Phases
Eclipses
Tides
100
How long does it take the Earth to complete one revolution?
365 days (1 year)
100
The Earth is tilted on its axis. To what degree is it tilted?
The Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees on its axis.
100
What lunar phase comes after a NEW MOON?
Waxing Crescent
100
What type of eclipse is shown in the diagram below?
Lunar eclipse
100
The water rises for about ____ hours and falls for about ____ hours in a regular cycle.
6 and 6!
So, one tidal cycle takes about 12.5 hours.
200
What causes the day/night cycle?
The Earth's rotation
200
If it is fall in the Northern Hemisphere, what season might people in the Southern Hemisphere be experiencing and WHY?
They will be experiencing spring because the seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
200
How long is a lunar cycle?
About 29.5 days
200
What is the term for the smaller, darker, and cone-shaped shadow during an eclipse?
Umbra
200
The picture on the LEFT shows a _____ tide.
High
300
The Earth revolves around the Sun. How could you describe the shape of this "path"?
The Earth revolves in an elliptical orbit.
300
What causes the seasons?
The Earth's revolution around the Sun AND the Earth's tilt on its axis.
300
What causes the lunar phases?
Phases are caused by changes in the positions of the moon, Earth, and sun. Basically, you see the moon from different angles.
300
What type of eclipse has a broader viewing range and longer duration?
Lunar eclipse
300
What causes tides?
Tides are caused mainly by DIFFERENCES in how much the moon’s gravity pulls on different parts of the Earth.
400
This series of pictures shows she same house, but the shadow looks different in each one. Which process can explain why shadows seem to "move" during the day?
The Earth's rotation.
400
On two days each year, there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. What is the word we use to describe these two days?
An equinox
400
What phase of the moon is pictured?
Waning Gibbous
400
Experiencing a total solar eclipse is pretty rare (and exciting)! WHY?
In order to experience a total solar eclipse, you have to be within the umbra. The width of the path of totality for total solar eclipses is only about 70 miles, so you are lucky if you are in that zone!
400
What type of tide would happen when the lunar phases are 1st and 3rd quarters?
Neap tide
500
The Earth revolves around the Sun in a predictable way. (Think about it like a train on a track!) What 2 scientific terms can best explain why Earth is able to stay in orbit?
Gravity & Inertia
500
What season is the Southern Hemisphere experiencing at point C?
Summer
500
If there is a full moon tonight, about how long will we have to wait before we experience a new moon?
2 weeks
500
What happens when the moon passes partly into the umbra of Earth’s shadow?
A partial lunar eclipse
500
What do we call the type of tide with the least difference between consecutive high and low tides and exhibits the arrangement shown in the picture below?
Neap tide