Sun & Shadows
What casts a shadow?
An object blocking light creates a shadow.
What is Earth's rotation?
Earth's rotation is the spinning of Earth on its axis.
What is Earth's revolution?
Earth's revolution is the movement of Earth around the sun.
Why do we have day and night?
Day and night occur because of Earth's rotation on its axis.
What are the four main directions?
North, South, East, and West.
How does the sun create shadows?
The sun's light shines on an object, and the object blocks some of the light, creating a shadow.
It takes approximately 24 hours for Earth to complete one rotation.
How long does it take for Earth to revolve around the sun?
It takes about 365 days for Earth to revolve around the sun.
What happens to the sun during the night?
The sun is not visible from a specific location on Earth due to its rotation.
How can you find north without a compass?
You can find north by observing the position of the sun during the day or using the North Star at night.
What time of day are shadows the longest?
Shadows are longest in the early morning and late afternoon.
What is the effect of Earth's rotation on day and night?
Earth's rotation causes different parts of Earth to face the sun, creating day and night.
What causes the seasons?
The tilt of Earth's axis during its revolution around the sun causes seasons.
How does the rotation of Earth create day and night?
As Earth rotates, different areas move into and out of sunlight, creating day and night.
Why is knowing direction important in navigation?
Knowing direction helps people find their way and reach their destinations safely.
What direction do shadows point at noon?
Shadows point directly north in the Northern Hemisphere.
How do we measure time based on Earth's rotation?
We measure time in hours based on the 24-hour cycle of Earth's rotation.
Why is the Earth’s orbit not a perfect circle?
Earth's orbit is an ellipse, meaning it is slightly oval-shaped.
How do time zones relate to the concept of day and night?
Time zones are based on Earth's rotation; as the Earth turns, different areas experience day and night at different times, leading to the establishment of time zones.
How do the sun's position help us determine direction?
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, helping to identify cardinal directions.
Why do shadows change length and direction during the day?
Shadows change length and direction due to the sun's position in the sky as it moves from east to west.
What would happen if Earth stopped rotating?
If Earth stopped rotating, one side would experience constant daylight while the other side would have perpetual darkness.
How does the tilt of the Earth's axis affect seasons?
The tilt causes different areas to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to seasons.
How does the phenomenon of the "midnight sun" occur in polar regions?
The "midnight sun" occurs in polar regions during summer when the tilt of Earth's axis allows the sun to remain visible at midnight, resulting in continuous daylight.
You’re standing outside on the playground. You notice your shadow is pointing toward the west.
What time of day is it most likely — morning, noon, or afternoon? Explain how you know.
It’s morning, because the Sun rises in the east. When your shadow points toward the west, that means the Sun is in the eastern part of the sky — which happens in the morning.