Science S-E-M (Sun-Earth-Moon) Test Study Guide

What are ALL causes of SEASONS on Earth?

1. Earth's Tilt 2. Earth's orbit around the Sun 3. Curvature of Earth's surface

What are ALL effects of SEASONS on Earth?

1. Varying sunlight on Earth 2. Varying temperatures on Earth

gravity

An attractive force between all objects that have mass.

solstice

Occurs when the Earth's rotational axis is tilted directally toward or away from the sun. Happens in June & December

What causes DAY and NIGHT on Earth?

Rotation of Earth on it's axis causes night & day. The Earth spins round and round as it travels around the sun. ...

How does Earth stay in its orbit around the Sun?

The Sun's gravity pulls on the earth, just as Earth's gravity pulls down anything that is not held up by some other force and keeps you and me on the ground.

solar angle

The angle at which sunlight strikes earth's surface.

ecliptic

The curved path of the sun and moon.

What causes TIDES on Earth?

The gravitational attraction of the moon causes the oceans to bulge out in the direction of the moon.

Eclipse

The movement one solar system object into the shadow of another object.

revolution

The orbit of an object around another object. (revolve)

tides

The periodic rise and fall of the ocean's surfaces, caused by the moon's gravitational force of the Earth and moon.

rotation

The spin of an object around it's axis. *rotation of Earth on it's axis causes night & day

inertia

The tendency of an object to resist a change in motion

solar noon

The time of day when the sun is at it's highest point in the sky.

radiation

Thermal energy (heat) that travels as rays throughout space.

equinox

This occurs when Earth's rotation is tilted neither toward or away from the sun. Equinox means 'equal night', so 12 hours of both day & night=24hrs: happens in March & September