SC.8.E.5.9

1. Not all planets experience a chance of seasons. What causes the seasons on Earth?

a. The changing position of the Moon in relation to Earth’s hemispheresb. The angle of Earth’s hemispheres in relation to the Sun *c. Differing quantities of light coming from the Moond. Changes in the distance between Earth and the Sun

2. The diagram below describes the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and the Moon.

When the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are in these positions, what phase of the Moon do we observe?

a. Full moon * c. third quarterb. New moon d. first quarter moon

3. A new planet is discovered in a different solar system. The new planet is much like Earth. One difference is that the planet does not have tides. What does the planet lack that Earth has?

a. A star c. a geosphereb. A moon * d. a rotational period

6. In the diagram below, the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are all aligned, and only part of the Moon falls in Earth’s shadow.

What does this diagram illustrate?

a. A full solar eclipse c. A partial solar eclipse b. A full lunar eclipse d. A partial lunar eclipse *

4. Earth’s seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis, which is shown in the diagram below. The diagram also shows how the relationship between Earth and the Sun changes as Earth orbits. Earth’s Northern and Southern hemispheres take turns receiving more direct rays from the Sun.

Each image of Earth in the diagram above shows different seasons. Which of the following seasons is taking place on Earth when it is at position 3 shown above?

a. It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. c. It is spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

b. It is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. * d. It is spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

5. One phase of the Moon, as seen from Earth, is shown below.

Which of the following represents the relative position of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth during this moon phase? (Diagrams are not drawn to scale.) (Answer = B)

6. How does Earth’s position relative to the Sun cause the four seasons?

a. Earth orbits the Sun once a year and is in a different position with respect to the Sun every three months, resulting in four seasons.

b. The tilt of Earth’s axis with respect to its orbit changes back and forth approximately 46o every six months, resulting in four seasons.

c. Earth’s axis is tilted with respect to its orbit, so, as it revolves around the Sun its tilt with respect to the Sun changes, resulting in four seasons. *

d. Earth rotates on its axis every twenty-four hours, and, since the axis is tilted with respect to the Sun, different parts of Earth experience different day-lengths, resulting in four seasons.

7. The diagram below describes the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and the Moon.

When the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are in these positions, what phase of the Moon do we observe?

a. Full moon c. First quarter *b. New moon d. Third quarter

8. The following diagram shows the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and the Moon during an astronomical event.

On the night of this astronomical event, the Moon starts fully lit. Then the Moon is dark for about three hours. Finally, the Moon is fully lit again. What is this astronomical event called?

a. A solar eclipse c. a first-quarter moonb. A lunar eclipse * d. a third-quarter moon