The Solar System
What are the 4 Cardinal Directions?
North, South, East, and West.
Describe the shape of the Earth.
Not a perfect sphere; a geoid.
Define Rotation.
To turn about an axis.
Define Revolution.
To move in a curved path around a center or axis.
What are the two directional units we use to measure coordinates?
Latitude and Longitude.
What planetary system are we in?
The solar system.
Explain time zones and tell me what time zone we’re in right now.
The world is divided into 24 equal time zones to account for Earth’s revolution. We are in the +1h time zone.
In which direction does the sun rise and in which direction does it set?
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
What is the name for the 4 main directions on a compass rose?
Cardinal Points.
What is another name for the Prime Meridian?
The Greenwich Meridian.
When the universe began, it was just hot, tiny particles mixed with light and energy. As everything expanded and took up more space, it cooled down.
The tiny particles grouped together. They formed atoms. Then those atoms grouped together. Over lots of time, atoms came together to form stars and galaxies.
The first stars created bigger atoms and groups of atoms called molecules. That led to more stars being born. At the same time, galaxies were crashing and grouping together. As new stars were being born and dying, then things like asteroids, comets, planets, and black holes formed!
What is an atmosphere?
A gaseous layer around Earth that protects the planet from solar radiation and helps regulate our temperature.
Define axis.
A straight line that something else rotates around.
What is a leap day and why do we have it?
One year is 365 and 6 hours, so every 4 years we take the extra 6 hours and have one extra day.
What is a scale?
A comparative measurement system to link the distance on the map to the distance in real life.
List the planets in order starting at the sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
List 3 qualities that make Earth habitable.
Atmosphere, moderate temperature, and potable water.
What is the name for the period of time between day and night? This is also referred to as ‘Twilight’.
Dusk.
What are the two results of the Earth revolving?
Day time lasts for different lengths of time in different parts of the world. Thermal zones exist.
What is a geographic grid?
A system of coordinates made up of 2 types of imaginary lines- latitude and longitude.
What is the difference between a planetary system and a galaxy?
A planetary system is a group of planets orbiting a star, while a galaxy is a collection of planetary systems.
When was Earth formed and when did life begin on Earth?
4600 million years ago and 2000 million years ago.
What would happen if the Earth did not rotate on its axis?
Half of the planet would always be lit by the Sun and be a high temperature while the other half would be dark and cold.
List the 4 days that mark the changes between seasons.
Spring Equinox- March 21st
Summer Solstice- June 21st
Fall Equinox- September 21st
Winter Solstice- December 21st
Name the thermal zones and the names of the lines of latitude that mark them.
Tropics- Tropic of Capricorn and of Cancer;
Temperate Zones- Cancer to Arctic circle and Capricorn to Antarctic circle;
Frigid Zones- Arctic to North Pole and Antarctic to South Pole