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

Sam is camping on a hill. At 8 a.m. the Sun is just rising and the hill is bright. By 8 p.m. the sky is dark. Which explanation correctly tells why the hill goes from bright to dark?

Accepted Answer

The Earth spins, turning the hill toward the Sun in the morning and away from it at night.

Answer

Clouds block the Sun after noon, making it dark in the evening.

Answer

The Moon moves in front of the Sun at night, causing darkness.

Answer

The Sun travels around the Earth each day, bringing light to the hill when it passes nearby.

Question 3

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.

Try three questions

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

Sam is camping on a hill. At 8 a.m. the Sun is just rising and the hill is bright. By 8 p.m. the sky is dark. Which explanation correctly tells why the hill goes from bright to dark?

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?

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