Earth's rotation and day/night

Question 1

Which statement best explains why we have day and night on Earth?

Accepted Answer

The Earth rotates on its axis, so different parts of the planet are turned toward the Sun at different times.

Answer

The tilt of Earth's axis causes the Sun to rise and set, creating day and night.

Answer

The Earth revolves around the Sun, and when a location is on the side of Earth facing the Sun it experiences daytime.

Answer

The Sun moves around the Earth each day, making the Sun appear in the sky during the day and disappear at night.

Question 2

Maya looks at her 12‑hour clock. At 12:00 midnight she sees no Sun, and exactly 12 hours later, when the clock reads 12:00 noon, the Sun is straight overhead. Which statement best explains how the Earth creates this pattern every 24 hours?

Accepted Answer

The Earth spins once around its own axis every 24 hours, turning the side that faces the Sun into daylight and the opposite side into darkness.

Answer

The Earth travels all the way around the Sun each day, so the Sun shines on different parts of Earth during the day.

Answer

The Sun moves in a circle around the Earth every 24 hours, making it appear to rise and set.

Answer

The Moon blocks the Sun for half of each day, creating night on the side of Earth it covers.

Question 3

Alex watches the sun rise in the east, climb higher, and then set in the west while he is at school. Which explanation correctly shows why the sun appears to move across the sky each day?

Accepted Answer

The Earth spins eastward on its axis once about every 24 hours; as our spot on Earth turns toward the Sun and then away, the Sun looks like it moves from east to west.

Answer

The Sun travels around the Earth once each day, moving from east to west.

Answer

The Moon’s pull on the Earth makes the Sun seem to travel across the sky each day.

Answer

The Earth’s yearly orbit around the Sun causes the Sun to rise and set every day.

Try three questions

Which statement best explains why we have day and night on Earth?

Maya looks at her 12‑hour clock. At 12:00 midnight she sees no Sun, and exactly 12 hours later, when the clock reads 12:00 noon, the Sun is straight overhead. Which statement best explains how the Earth creates this pattern every 24 hours?

Alex watches the sun rise in the east, climb higher, and then set in the west while he is at school. Which explanation correctly shows why the sun appears to move across the sky each day?

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