Rotation, Revolution, Seasons
Shadows
Earth, Moon, Sun
Climate vs Weather
Water Cycle
100
What is Rotation?
The spinning motion of a planet or object on its axis.
100
If the apparent location of the Sun is on the West side, would the time most like end in AM or PM?
It would most likely end in PM (afternoon) since the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
100
List some characteristics that are unique to the Sun. (at least 3)
Made of Gas
The only source of heat and light for our Solar system
Only Star in our Solar system
Center of our Solar System
Drives the Water cycle
100
What are climate key words? (List at least 4)
Per year Annual Rarely
Never Normal Region
Average Generally Usually
Typical Decade Season
100
What drives the process of the water cycle? What type of energy is used?
The Sun drives the water cycle by using thermal energy to cause evaporation.
200
What is revolution?
The circular or elliptical movement of an object around another object.
200
If we observe the shadow of an object at 9:00AM, which direction will the shadow be facing?
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. At 9:00AM, the sun will appear on the East side, so the shadow of the object will be in the West.
200
List characteristics that are unique to the Earth. (List at least 3)
The only planet in solar system known to have liquid water and life.
One revolution = one year (365 days)
One rotation = one day (24 hours)
Has 4 seasons
200
What are weather key words? (List at least 4)
What are weather key words?
Forecast Yesterday Daily
Sunny Current Today
Recent Foggy Temperature
Storm Humidity Daily Lows/Highs
200
What phase change occurs during evaporation?
Liquid to vapor (or gas)
300
What factor can affect the length of day and night? And how does this occur?
Seasons due to the Earth's tilt on its axis.
300
This graph shows the change in length of shadows. What happens to the length from 2-4pm?
The length of the shadow will increase
300
How long does it take for the Moon to complete one revolution around the Earth?
Around 27-29 days
300
Which of the following statements describes weather NOT climate? (State which key word is used)
Today it is very hot and sunny in College Station, Texas
The average high temperature in July for the southwest U.S. is 100°F.
Summers are usually hot in Texas.
Today it is very hot and sunny in College Station, Texas.
Key Word Used: Today
300
On the board, fill in the steps of the water cycle.
400
Describe the cycle of day and night on Earth. (How much of the Earth is light and how much is dark?)
Half of the earth is dark while this other half has some light. 
400
If the sun rises at 7:15AM and sets at 5:15PM, how many hours of nighttime will we experience?
We will have 10 hours of daytime, so we will have 14 hours of nighttime.
400
Between the Moon and the Earth, which has a thicker atmosphere? What is the benefit of this?
Earth has a thicker atmosphere and this protects the Earth from things such as meteors.
400
If a student checks and observes the outside temperature on a thermometer outside daily for a week. What is the student most likely trying to investigate?
Weather (tracking daily changes)
400
How does condensation occur? Include the phase change and the process.
Vapor to Liquid
Vapor rises in the atmosphere and cools due to altitude. The vapor is turned into tiny droplets of liquid water which is then cooled and turned to a liquid in the air.
500
Is the length of day and night equal throughout the year? (Yes/No)
No. Daytime longer than nighttime in the summer and only equal in fall/spring. Daytime shorter than nighttime in the winter.
500
A student placed a stick in the ground and then recorded the position of its shadow at different times of the day as the sun moved across the sky. Which outline in the student’s recorded observations represents the position of the stick’s shadow at 6:00 p.m.?
The shadow represented by spot D represents the position of the stick’s shadow at 6:00 p.m.
500
What is the difference between erosion on the Earth and on the Moon? (Consider meteors)
The Moon has almost no erosion because it has no atmosphere. That means it has no wind, it has no weather, and it certainly has no plants. Almost nothing can remove marks on its surface once they are made.
500
The map shows the weather for Texas on Monday. Before the front passed through Houston on Sunday, the high temperature was 14°C. What would happen to the temperature on Monday, after the front has passed?
Anything below 10°C would be reasonable.
500
There are 3 container containing water. Each container was placed in a different location with different sunlight. At which location did the most evaporation occur?
The most evaporation occurred at Location 2