1.
Which three things does the Earth need to support life?
Correct Answer
B. Water, atmospHere, and light
Explanation
The Earth needs water, atmosphere, and light to support life. Water is essential for the existence of living organisms and plays a crucial role in various biological processes. The atmosphere provides the necessary gases for respiration and regulates temperature. Light is essential for photosynthesis, which is the process through which plants produce food. Therefore, these three elements are vital for sustaining life on Earth.
2.
A ___________________ is when an object orbits around another object.
Correct Answer
A. Revolution
Explanation
A revolution is when an object orbits around another object. It involves the motion of an object around a central point or axis, completing a full circle or orbit. This term is commonly used to describe the movement of celestial bodies, such as planets revolving around the sun.
3.
The spin of an object along its axis is called its _____________________.
Correct Answer
B. Rotation
Explanation
Rotation refers to the spin of an object along its axis. It is the circular movement of an object around a fixed point, such as the Earth rotating on its axis. This term is commonly used to describe the spinning motion of celestial bodies, as well as the rotation of objects in everyday life, like a spinning top or a rotating wheel.
4.
The path the Earth follows is called _________________.
Correct Answer
D. An orbit
Explanation
The path the Earth follows around the Sun is called an orbit. This is because the Earth continuously revolves around the Sun in a predictable and elliptical path. The term "orbit" specifically refers to the gravitational trajectory of a celestial body around another object. In the case of the Earth, it orbits the Sun, causing the change of seasons and the cycle of day and night.
5.
The earth "spins" on its ______________________.
Correct Answer
C. Axis
Explanation
The correct answer is "axis." The earth spins on its axis, which is an imaginary line that runs through the North and South Poles. This rotation causes day and night as different parts of the earth are exposed to the sun's light. The axis also determines the tilt of the earth, which is responsible for the changing seasons.
6.
Each time the earth "spins" around we experience a _________________.
Correct Answer
B. Day
Explanation
Each time the earth "spins" around, it completes one rotation on its axis, resulting in a period of approximately 24 hours, which we experience as a day.
7.
The side of the Earth facing the sun is experiencing ______________ and the side of the Earth not facing the sun is experiencing _____________.
Correct Answer
D. Day, night
Explanation
During the day, the side of the Earth facing the sun is experiencing daylight and warmth due to the direct sunlight. On the other hand, the side of the Earth not facing the sun is experiencing darkness and cooler temperatures, which is known as night. This is because as the Earth rotates, different parts of the planet are exposed to the sun's rays, resulting in the cycle of day and night.
8.
The moon appears to change shape almost daily. These changes follow a predictable cycle. Approximately how long does it take for one complete cycle?
Correct Answer
A. A month
Explanation
The moon appears to change shape almost daily because of its different positions in relation to the Earth and the Sun. These changes follow a predictable cycle known as the lunar cycle, which takes approximately one month to complete. This cycle is caused by the moon's orbit around the Earth, as it goes through different phases such as new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter. Therefore, the correct answer is "a month."
9.
Which best describes the motion of the moon around the Earth?
Correct Answer
A. The moon follows a predictable orbit.
Explanation
The correct answer is "The moon follows a predictable orbit." This is because the moon does indeed orbit the Earth in a predictable path. Its orbit is elliptical, meaning it is not a perfect circle, but it follows the same general pattern and path around the Earth. This predictable orbit allows us to accurately predict the moon's position and phases at any given time.
10.
Which of these is a TRUE statement?
Correct Answer
C. The moon reflects light from the sun.
Explanation
The moon reflects light from the sun because it does not emit its own light. This is a well-known fact supported by scientific evidence. The moon's surface reflects the sunlight that falls on it, which is why we can see the moon shining in the night sky.
11.
The sun appears to move across the sky every day from the ___________ part of the sky to the ___________ part of the sky.
Correct Answer
D. Eastern, western
Explanation
The sun appears to move across the sky every day from the eastern part of the sky to the western part of the sky. This is because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the planet are exposed to the sun's light, creating the perception of the sun moving across the sky.
12.
What is the path of the sun during the summer months?
Correct Answer
A. Higher in the sky
Explanation
During the summer months, the sun appears higher in the sky. This is because the Earth's axis is tilted towards the sun during this time, causing the sun's rays to hit the Earth at a more direct angle. As a result, the sun's path across the sky is higher, leading to longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures.
13.
Which of the following is NOT a dwarf planet in our solar system?
Correct Answer
D. Europa
Explanation
Europa is a moon of Jupiter, known for its icy surface and potential subsurface ocean. The other options, Ceres, Pluto, and Eris, are all classified as dwarf planets, celestial bodies that are massive enough to be rounded by their own gravity but have not cleared their orbital neighborhoods of other debris.
14.
The seasons are caused by
Correct Answer
B. The tilt of Earth's axis
Explanation
The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis. As the Earth orbits the Sun, the tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. When one hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summer, while the other hemisphere is tilted away and experiences winter. The tilt also causes the length of daylight to change, resulting in the transition from longer days in summer to shorter days in winter. Earth's distance from the Sun, the Sun's temperature, and the calendar do not directly cause the seasons.
15.
Why does the moon appear to be larger than other planets and stars?
Correct Answer
C. The moon is closer to Earth than the planets and stars.
Explanation
The moon appears larger than other planets and stars because it is closer to Earth. The distance between the moon and Earth is much shorter compared to the distance between Earth and other planets or stars. This proximity makes the moon appear larger in the sky.
16.
A solar eclipse may occur when ______________________.
Correct Answer
B. The moon is between the Earth and the sun
Explanation
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes precisely between the Earth and the Sun and its shadow falls on Earth and moves over it. The Earth, Moon and Sun are then aligned when viewed from above the orbital plane of the Earth or from the side.
17.
How many high tides will most ocean beaches have each day?
Correct Answer
C. Two each day
Explanation
Most ocean beaches will have two high tides each day. This is due to the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the planet experience the gravitational pull, causing the water to bulge and creating high tides. As a result, most ocean beaches will experience two high tides approximately 12 hours apart.
18.
Tides are affected by
Correct Answer
D. The gravity of the Moon and the Sun
Explanation
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of both the Moon and the Sun. The Moon's gravity is the primary factor in creating tides, as it is closer to the Earth. However, the Sun's gravity also contributes to the tides, although to a lesser extent. The combined gravitational forces of both celestial bodies result in the rise and fall of the ocean tides.
19.
Why does the Moon have different phases?
Correct Answer
A. It moves around the Earth
Explanation
The Moon has different phases because it moves around the Earth. As the Moon orbits the Earth, different portions of its illuminated surface are visible from Earth, resulting in the different phases we observe. The Moon goes through a cycle of phases, starting with the New Moon (when the Moon is not visible) and progressing to the Full Moon (when the entire face of the Moon is visible). This cycle repeats approximately every 29.5 days.
20.
When the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, it is most likely a:
Correct Answer
A. Full moon
Explanation
When the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, the Sun's light is fully illuminating the side of the Moon facing the Earth. This alignment causes the Moon to appear as a complete circle in the sky, which is known as a full moon.