Unit 3: Earth's Motions and Seasons Review Questions (need ESRT)
What is the rate of Earth's revolution? (hint: how many days are in a year? Assume the Earth revolves in a 360 degree motion; round your answer to NEAREST TENTH)
1.0 degrees per day (approx. 1 degree per day) 360 degrees/365 days = 0.986 degrees per day
What is the rate of Earth's Rotation? (hint: how long is 1 day? and, how many degrees will the Earth move to complete 1 rotation?)
15 degrees per hour; 1 day = 24 hours, so 360 degrees /24 hours = 15 degrees/hour
On June 21, at which latitude would an observer find the sun directly overhead?
23.5 degrees North
On December 21, at which latitude would an observer find the sun directly overhead?
23.5 degrees South
Mr. Greene's friend, Marisa, lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at 23.5 degrees South latitude. On what day(s) would the sun's rays be directly overhead Marisa?
December 21 (winter in the northern hemisphere is summertime in the southern hemisphere)
On what day(s) are the sun's rays directly overhead observers in the Bahamas (hint: it's at 23.5 degrees North latitude)?
June 21 (summer solstice)
On what day(s) are the sun's rays directly overhead observers in the Galapagos Islands (hint: it's at 0 degrees latitude)?
March 21 and September 21 (the spring and fall equinoxes)
In the Northern Hemisphere, during which season is the Earth farthest from the sun?
Summer
In the Northern Hemisphere, during which season(s) do observers see their shortest noontime shadow?
Summer
Why do some constellations observed in the summer skies in New York state are different from those observed at the same location in the winter skies?
The Earth revolves around the sun
What is the TRUE cause of the "appearance" of the stars moving in a circular motion around Polaris at night?
The Earth's rotation on its axis (we're moving, not the stars)
What is the TRUE cause of the "appearance" of the sun to move across the sky in the day time?
The Earth's rotation on its axis (we're moving, not the sun)
As the angle of insolation from the sun decreases, what will happen to duration of insolation?
duration of insolation will DECREASE
As the angle of insolation from the sun increases, what will happen to the duration of insolation?
duration of insolation will INCREASE
As the angle of insolation from the sun decreases, what will happen to the intensity of insolation?
intensity of insolation will DECREASE
As the angle of insolation from the sun increases, what will happen to the intensity of insolation?
intensity of insolation will INCREASE
On March 21, at which latitude would an observer find the sun directly overhead?
the Equator, 0 degrees
On September 21, at which latitude would an observer find the sun directly overhead?
the Equator, 0 degrees
In the Northern Hemisphere, during which season(s) do observers see their longest noontime shadow?
Winter
In the Northern Hemisphere, during which season(s) is the Earth closest to the sun?
Winter
What causes the changes in seasons in Vestal, NY?
Earth's revolution around the sun AND the Earth's tilt on its axis
What causes the hours of daylight to vary throughout the year?
Earth's revolution around the sun AND the Earth's tilt on its axis
What causes the Foucault Pendulum to swing back and forth, knocking over the pins surrounding it?
Earth's rotation on its axis (the pendulum isn't moving in a circle, the Earth underneath it is spinning)
