Download Seasons and Currents Quiz-

Integrated Science
Name __________KEY______________
Seasons and Currents Quiz--Study Guide
1.
The earth rotates and revolves. How long does each motion take?
Rotation: ____24 hours_____
Revolution: ____365-1/4 days_______
2.
The sun, moon, and stars all appear to move from __E_ to ___W__; facing North, this
appears to be a _______________(clockwise or counterclockwise) motion.
3.
If the Big Dipper looks like Figure A at 12 AM, what month is it?
Sept or Oct
4.
What time would it be if the Big Dipper looked like Figure Å in
January? Include AM or PM!
5-6 PM
Why is Polaris called our “North Star?”
The Earth’s axis of rotation is pointed at it
5.
Figure A
6.
Polaris lies at __61__o above our horizon (in Eagle River, Alaska). This is equal to our
__latitude__.
7.
The two equinoxes occur at the start of __spring___ and ___fall___.
DATES__March 21___ and _Sept 21_____.
8.
The two solstices occur at the start of ___summer__ and __winter_____.
DATES____June 21__ and ___Dec 21____.
9.
On the globe below, draw and label where each of the following is located:
a. Arctic Circle
b. Antarctic Circle
c. Tropic of Cancer
d. Equator
e. Tropic of Capricorn
Arctic Circle
Tropic of Cancer
Equator
Tropic of Capricorn
Antarctic Circle
10.
What is the tilt of the Earth? _23.50___
11.
Draw a Sun to the left or right of the globe so that it would be WINTER in the Northern
Hemisphere. When Sun is on the LEFT side of this globe, N is tilted AWAY from it so
it is winter.
Use the words (a-e) from Question #9, to answer questions 12-15.
12.
The Sun is directly overhead at the EQUATOR on March 21.
13.
The Sun is directly overhead at the _Tropic of Cancer_ on June 21.
14.
The Sun is directly overhead at the _EQUATOR_ on September 21.
15.
The Sun is directly overhead at the _Tropic of Capricorn_ on December 21.
True or False ALL True statements- except for #23 – Mayans did not have telescopes!
16.
The Earth is closest to the Sun in January.
17.
The Arctic Circle is 66.5 degrees North latitude.
18.
In December, the area south of the Antarctic Circle has 24 hours of daylight.
19.
The shape of the Earth’s orbit is almost a circle.
20.
At the equinoxes, all parts of the Earth receive about 12 hours of daylight.
21.
Direct rays of the Sun have more energy than oblique rays.
22.
The Equator is at 0 degrees latitude.
Short Answers
23.
If Earth’s axis were not tilted, how would its seasons be affected?
There would be NO seasons; they would all be the same year round.
24. What are the TWO reasons we have seasons?
1. The Earth’s TILT
2. The Revolution of Earth around the Sun
25. What does an analemma show? Draw one, and label 3 parts of it.
An analemma traces the path of the Sun over 365 days. It looks like a figure “8”, top
is the summer solstice (June 21), middle is equinoxes (March/Sept 21), bottom is
winter solstice (Dec 21). (SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAIL)
NOTE: There will be a matching column/multiple choice question on pure VOCABULARY!
Foucault’s Pendulum Proved Earth Rotates Polaris - North Star; Earth’s axis points to
Rotation Spin on axis
Revolution orbit the Sun
Vertical Direct (most hot)
Oblique at an angle (cooler, less energy)
Axis imaginary line Earth rotates on
Tilt Angle Earth is slanted to or away from Sun
Solstice longest/shortest daylight
Equinox equal daylight hours
Arctic Circle 23.5 from North Pole
Antarctic Circle 23.5 from South Pole
Tropic of Cancer Sun directly over on Summer Solstice; 23.5 N Latitude
Tropic of Capricorn Sun directly over on Winter Solstice; 23.5 S Latitude
BONUS Questions
1. Why is Antarctica (South Pole) so much colder year round than the Arctic (North Pole)?
(see Antarcticaconnect.com for more complete answers):
1) Antarctica is LAND, surrounded by water, so the land does not get the warming
effects of water;
2) Antarctica is covered by snow and ice which reflect any sunlight (heat); and
3) Antarctica is one of the DRIEST places on Earth.
2. Who made the first U.S. Daylight Savings Time? Benjamin Franklin
3. When does DST begin this year? (March 10, 2013)
4. Describe how to make a sundial for Eagle River, Alaska.
Cut out a gnomon that is 61 degrees. Point it South. Make the time by the shadows cast by
the sun.
(See Q 25 Above)
Sketch an analemma below. Describe 3 points and what each means.
Summer Solstice
Fall or Spring
Equinoxes
Winter Solstice