Middle School Earth and Space Science : Earth's Place in the Solar System

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Middle School Earth and Space Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

What causes Earth's change of seasons?

Possible Answers:

Parts of Earth are tilted towards or away from the sun as it revolves

One half of Earth is facing the sun as it rotates

Parts of Earth are closer to the sun as it rotates

Earth is closer to the sun for part of its revolution

Correct answer:

Parts of Earth are tilted towards or away from the sun as it revolves

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

Example Question #2 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Which of the following is primarily responsible for Earth's seasons?

Possible Answers:

rotation and tilt

revolution only

revolution and rotation

revolution and tilt

Correct answer:

rotation and tilt

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

Example Question #3 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Seasons  1

What is best represented by the diagram shown?

Possible Answers:

Earth's seasons

Earth's night and day

Earth's rotation

Earth's solar cycle

Correct answer:

Earth's seasons

Explanation:

The answer is "Earth's seasons."

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

Example Question #1 : Earth's Place In The Solar System

What is the summer solstice?

Possible Answers:

all of these

none of these

the shortest day of the year

when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun

Correct answer:

none of these

Explanation:

The answer is none of these. The answer choices describe the winter solstice.

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).


The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #5 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

When is the north pole tilted closest to the sun?

Possible Answers:

winter solstice

none of these

summer solstice

equinox

Correct answer:

summer solstice

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #2 : Earth's Place In The Solar System

Screen shot 2020 07 27 at 11.16.29 am

In which position would the southern hemisphere experience winter?

 

Possible Answers:

position 1

position 4

position 3

position 2

Correct answer:

position 2

Explanation:

The answer is "position 2" because the sun's rays are indirectly hitting the surface in the southern hemisphere. Positions 1 and 3 are fall and spring in the southern hemisphere respectively.

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun). The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #3 : Earth's Place In The Solar System

Screen shot 2020 07 27 at 11.16.29 am

In which position is the northern hemisphere experiencing winter?

Possible Answers:

position 4

position 2

position 1

position 3

Correct answer:

position 4

Explanation:

The answer is "position 4" because the sun's rays are indirectly hitting the surface in the southern hemisphere. Positions 1 and 3 are spring and fall in the northern hemisphere. 

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun). The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #8 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Which explanation best describes why there are less than 10 hours of daylight in Alaska during the month of April?

Possible Answers:

Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in winter, and day and night are caused by Earth's revolution.

Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation.

Alaska is located in the far southern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation.

Alaska is located in the far southern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's revolution.

Correct answer:

Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation.

Explanation:

The answer is "Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation." 

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun). The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #4 : Earth's Place In The Solar System

How long would each season be if Earth did NOT spin on its axis?

Possible Answers:

24 hours

6 months

Earth's rotation causes day and night, not the seasons.

1 year

Correct answer:

Earth's rotation causes day and night, not the seasons.

Explanation:

The answer is "Earth's rotation causes day and night, not the seasons."

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #5 : Earth's Place In The Solar System

Which answer choice best explains the cause of summer in the southern hemisphere?

Possible Answers:

The north pole is tilted away from the sun in the summer.

The southern hemisphere receives more direct sunlight in the summer.

Earth's southern axis is tilted towards the sun during the summer in the northern hemisphere.

The sun is closer to the Earth during the summer.

Correct answer:

The southern hemisphere receives more direct sunlight in the summer.

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

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