1. Earth’s Motion in Space March 1, 2011
Essential Question: How does the position of the Earth in the solar system affect our conditions on Earth? (day and night/seasons)

2. (B. 22) Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis .
(B. 24) Describe the relationship of the seasons to the Earth’s revolution around the sun .
Indicators

3. Revolution
Rotation
Axis
Predict Vocabulary

4. Actual Definition Rotation
The action of turning about on an axis.
Example: The Earth turning on its axis in a counterclockwise direction thus creating the day and night cycle.
Actual Definition Rotation

5. Actual Definition of Revolution
The action of a celestial body going around an orbit
Example: Earth orbiting around the sun on its axis in a counterclockwise direction thus giving us the seasons
Actual Definition of Revolution

6. Actual Definition of Axis
The real or imaginary straight line through the center of an object around which it rotates
Example: The imaginary line running through two poles, around which the Earth rotates
Actual Definition of Axis

7. Direct Sunlight/Indirect Sunlight
Direct Sunlight=when the sun hits the part of the Earth and gives its most intense rays
Example: North America in July
Indirect Sunlight: when the sun hits the part of the Earth and gives partial sun rays!
Example-North America in December!
Direct Sunlight/Indirect Sunlight

8. Pre Lab Questions Why do we have day and night on Earth?
Why do we have seasons?
Pre Lab Questions

9. We have day and night because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star in space. The Earth is a planet that is shaped like a sphere and rotates on its axis. During the Earth’s rotation, only half of its body can face the sun at one time. The half that happens to be rotated towards the sun is experiencing day where the half that is facing away from the sun is experiencing night.
Day and Night Answer

10. Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points
Position of Earth and Sun in space create the day and night cycle
Earth rotates on an axis
Only half of the sphere shaped Earth can face the sun at one time
The half that faces the sun experiences day
The half that faces away from the sun experiences night
Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points

11. What are the reasons for the Seasons?
Answer on a sheet of paper!
What are the reasons for the Seasons?

12. We have seasons on Earth because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star. The Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis. The Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun. Therefore, the sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles during the Earth’s revolution the Sun. The axis that is facing towards the sun receives direct sunlight (absorbs more light) and experiences summer while the axis that is facing away from the sun receives indirect sunlight (scattered sun’s rays) and experiences winter.
Seasons Answer

13. Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points
The position of Earth and Sun in space dictate the seasons
The sun is a star that is still and the Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis
Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun
Sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles
Axis that faces the sun has summer
Axis that faces away from the sun has winter
When the Earth’s axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun, fall and spring occur
Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points

14. Why do we have day and night?
Why do seasons occur?
Post Lab Questions

15. We have day and night because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star that is relatively still in space. The Earth is a planet that is shaped like a sphere and rotates on its axis. During the Earth’s rotation, only half of its body can face the sun at one time. The half that happens to be rotated towards the sun is experiencing day where the half that is facing away from the sun is experiencing night.
Day and Night Answer

16. Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points
Position of Earth and Sun in space create the day and night cycle
Sun is still and the Earth rotates on an axis
Only half of the sphere shaped Earth can face the sun at one time
The half that faces the sun experiences day
The half that faces away from the sun experiences night
Day and Night Response Rubric 5 points

17. We have seasons on Earth because of the position of the Earth and the Sun in space. The sun is a star that is relatively still in space. The Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis. The Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun. Therefore, the sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles during the Earth’s revolution the Sun. The axis that is facing towards the sun receives direct sunlight (absorbs more light) and experiences summer while the axis that is facing away from the sun receives indirect sunlight (scattered sun’s rays) and experiences winter. When the Earth’s axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun, direct sunlight hits the equator creating similar conditions in both hemispheres so Spring and Fall occur.
Seasons Answer

18. Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points
The position of Earth and Sun in space dictate the seasons
The sun is a star that and the Earth is a sphere that is tilted on an axis
Earth’s axis is always tilted in the same direction as it revolves around the sun
Sun’s rays hit the Earth at different angles
Axis that faces the sun has summer-Direct Sunlight (absorbs the sun’s rays)
Axis that faces away from the sun has winter (indirect sunlight (scattered sunlight)
When the Earth’s axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun, direct sunlight hits the equator creating similar conditions in both hemispheres so Spring and Fall occur.
Seasons Response Rubric 7 Points

19. The place where the Earth and the sky look like they meet.
Horizon

20. The apparent rising of the sun above the horizon, the time when the upper most portion of the sun’s disc appears above the horizon
(this is really caused by the earth’s rotation towards the sun)
Sunrise

21. the apparent descent of the sun below the horizon, the time when the upper most portion of the sun’s disc disappears below the horizon
This is really the Earth rotating away from the sun!!
Sunset

22. The path followed by an object in its revolution around another body.
Orbit

23. Sunlight that reaches the surface of the Earth at angles greater than 45 degrees from the horizon
Sun should be in this position!
Direct Sunlight

24. Equinox (Vernal and Autumnal)
When day and night are of equal length anywhere in the world. Equinox literally means “equal night.”
Equinox (Vernal and Autumnal)

25. Solstice (Winter and Summer)
The moment when the Earth’s axis is leaning at its maximum (23.5˚) towards or away from the sun; on or about June 21 and December 21.
Solstice (Winter and Summer)

26. Compass Rose Compass Rose:
A circle showing the principal directions printed on a map or chart.
Compass Rose