Earth-Sun-Moon System
What causes day and night on Earth? a) Earth's revolution around the Sun b) Earth's rotation on its axis c) The Moon blocking sunlight d) The Sun moving across the sky
b) Earth's rotation on its axis
What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun? a) Magnetic force b) Friction c) Gravity d) Solar wind
c) Gravity
What makes Earth's plates move? a) Wind b) Ocean waves c) Hot rock flowing underground d) Earthquakes
c) Hot rock flowing underground
What's the difference between weather and climate? a) Weather is daily, climate is long-term b) Weather is hot, climate is cold c) Weather is rain, climate is snow d) They're the same thing
a) Weather is daily, climate is long-term
Which energy source can be used forever? a) Oil b) Coal c) Solar power d) Natural gas
c) Solar power
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon appears reddish because: a) The Moon is actually red b) Earth's atmosphere bends and filters sunlight c) The Moon is getting hotter d) Dust from the Moon reflects red light
b) Earth's atmosphere bends and filters sunlight
Which planet would have the strongest gravitational pull? a) Mercury b) Mars c) Jupiter d) Neptune
c) Jupiter
What kind of rock comes from cooled lava or magma? a) Sedimentary b) Metamorphic c) Igneous d) Fossil
c) Igneous
Where does most of our weather happen? a) In the clouds b) Near the ground c) In space d) Underground
b) Near the ground
What happens when we burn fossil fuels? a) Air gets cleaner b) Greenhouse gases increase c) Oceans get cooler d) Plants grow faster
b) Greenhouse gases increase
Which of the following best explains why we see different moon phases? a) The Moon changes shape b) Clouds block different parts of the Moon c) We see different amounts of the illuminated side d) The Moon moves in and out of Earth's shadow
c) We see different amounts of the illuminated side
If the mass of the Sun suddenly doubled, what would happen to Earth's orbital period? a) It would remain the same b) It would increase c) It would decrease d) Earth would be ejected from orbit
c) It would decrease (stronger gravity would speed up orbit)
Can one type of rock turn into another type? a) No, rocks stay the same forever b) Yes, but only in one direction c) Yes, any rock can become any other type d) Only sedimentary rocks can change
c) Yes, any rock can become any other type
What makes wind blow around the world? a) Trees moving b) The Sun heating Earth unevenly c) TheWhat makes wind blow around the world? a) Trees moving b) The Sun heating Earth unevenly c) The Moon's pull d) Ocean waves Moon's pull d) Ocean waves
b) The Sun heating Earth unevenly
Why aren't Earth's resources spread out evenly? a) People moved them around b) Countries traded them c) Natural processes created them in certain places d) They spread equally everywhere
c) Natural processes created them in certain places
Explain how the tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons. Include what happens in the Northern Hemisphere during summer solstice.
Earth's tilt means different hemispheres receive varying amounts of direct sunlight throughout the year. During summer solstice (around June 21), the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, receiving more direct sunlight and experiencing longer days, resulting in summer weather. The opposite occurs during winter solstice.
Explain why astronauts feel weightless in orbit around Earth, even though Earth's gravity is still affecting them.
Astronauts feel weightless because they are in free fall. Both the astronauts and the spacecraft are constantly falling toward Earth due to gravity, but their forward velocity keeps them moving sideways fast enough to continuously miss Earth, creating orbital motion. This creates the sensation of weightlessness.
Describe three ways water moves between the sky, ground, and ocean.
Water evaporates from oceans to the sky, falls as rain back to ground, and flows in rivers back to the ocean. It also soaks into the ground and plants take it up.
Explain what happens when a cold front meets warm air.
Cold air pushes under warm air, forcing it up quickly. This creates clouds and often thunderstorms with heavy rain.
Give examples of renewable vs non-renewable resources and why we need to use them carefully.
Renewable: solar, wind, trees (if replanted). Non-renewable: coal, oil, natural gas. We need to conserve non-renewables since they can't be replaced and use renewables sustainably so they can keep regenerating.
Explain why solar eclipses are rare and don't occur every month when the Moon orbits Earth.
Solar eclipses don't occur monthly because the Moon's orbit is tilted about 5° relative to Earth's orbit around the Sun. The Moon's shadow only hits Earth when the Moon crosses the ecliptic plane (the plane of Earth's orbit) and the Sun, Moon, and Earth are perfectly aligned. This alignment only occurs during new moon phases when all three bodies are properly positioned.
Compare how gravity works between the Sun and planets versus Earth and Moon.
The Sun's gravity keeps planets in orbit because it's huge. Earth's gravity keeps the Moon orbiting because Earth is bigger than the Moon. In both cases, the bigger object pulls the smaller one into orbit.
What evidence proves that continents used to be connected?
We find the same fossils on different continents, mountain ranges line up across oceans, and rocks match between continents (like Brazil and Africa).
How do ocean currents affect our weather and climate?
Ocean currents move warm water from the equator to poles and cold water back. This spreads heat around Earth, affecting weather patterns and keeping coastal areas warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
How can we use resources more sustainably as the population grows?
Use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, recycle materials, use less packaging, develop cleaner technologies, and protect natural habitats. We need to reduce waste and be more efficient with how we use resources.