Download Earth and Venus (N12)

The following data for the Sun and the four inner planets of the Solar System have been observed.
Mean Distance
from the Sun
(million
kilometers)
Sun
Diameter
(kilometers)
1,400,000
Mercury
58
4,900
Venus
108
12,100
Earth
150
12,800
Mars
228
6,800
In a simplified model of the Solar System, the planets revolve around the Sun in circular orbits, all in
the same plane. Each planet has a different period of revolution. Also, each planet is a sphere that
rotates about an axis through its center, but with a different period of rotation. In this model the axis
of rotation of each planet is perpendicular to the plane of the orbit.
NAEP released item, grade 12
1. Draw a sketch showing how Earth and Venus can be 258 million kilometers apart and explain how
this can occur. Indicate the orbits around the Sun for each.
NAEP released item, grade 12
Scoring Guide
Score & Description
Complete
Student demonstrates both an understanding of the changing alignment of planets as they move
around the Sun and an ability to find a possible location of two planets when they are a specified
distance apart. Student response contains a sketch that shows Earth and Venus at opposing ends
of their respective orbits and provides a correct explanation of the sketch, referring to the different
rates at which planets move around their orbits.
Partial
Student response contains a sketch that shows Earth and Venus on opposing sides of their
respective orbits, but does not include a correct explanation of the sketch.
OR
The sketch is incorrect or missing, but the response contains an explanation recognizing that Earth
and Venus do not stay fixed relative to each other but travel at different rates around their orbits.
Unsatisfactory/Incorrect
Student response does not show a sketch with Earth and Venus at opposing ends of their
respective orbits, and there is no explanation about the differing rates at which planet move around
their orbits.
NAEP released item, grade 12
Complete - Student Response
1 Draw a sketch showing how Earth and Venus can be 258 million kilometers apart and explain how
this can occur. Indicate the orbits around the Sun for each.
Scorer Comments:
Student response correctly shows Earth and Venus at opposite sides of the Sun, and explains that
this alignment is possible because the two planets revolve at differing rates.
1 Draw a sketch showing how Earth and Venus can be 258 million kilometers apart and explain how
this can occur. Indicate the orbits around the Sun for each.
NAEP released item, grade 12
Scorer Comments:
Student response correctly shows Earth and Venus at opposite sides of the Sun, and explains that
this alignment is possible because the two planets revolve at differing rates.
Partial - Student Response
1 Draw a sketch showing how Earth and Venus can be 258 million kilometers apart and explain how
this can occur. Indicate the orbits around the Sun for each.
NAEP released item, grade 12
Scorer Comments:
Student response correctly shows Earth and Venus at opposite sides of the Sun. The explanation
describes the picture drawn, and does not say anything about the rates of revolutions of the
planets.
1 Draw a sketch showing how Earth and Venus can be 258 million kilometers apart and explain how
this can occur. Indicate the orbits around the Sun for each.
Scorer Comments:
Student response shows Earth and Venus in incorrect positions. The explanation shows
NAEP released item, grade 12
understanding that the relative positions of Earth and Venus vary due to their different rates of
revolution.
1
Unsatisfactory/Incorrect - Student Response
Draw a sketch showing how Earth and Venus can be 258 million kilometers apart and explain how
this can occur. Indicate the orbits around the Sun for each.
Scorer Comments:
Student response shows Earth and Venus in incorrect positions, and provides an irrelevant
explanation that they are in non-overlapping orbits.
1
Draw a sketch showing how Earth and Venus can be 258 million kilometers apart and explain how
this can occur. Indicate the orbits around the Sun for each.
NAEP released item, grade 12
Scorer Comments:
Student response shows Earth and Venus in incorrect positions, and provides an irrelevant
explanation about elliptical orbits.
NAEP released item, grade 12
2000 National Performance Results
Score
Percentage of Students
Unsatisfactory/incorrect
43%
Partial
36%
Complete
5%
Omitted
Off task
15%
2%
Note:
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These results are for public and nonpublic school students.
Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.
The Fields of Science: Earth & Space Sciences (Sub content classification: Earth in Space)
Knowing and Doing Science : Conceptual Understanding
NAEP released item, grade 12
The Fields of Science
Earth & Space Sciences
This question measures basic knowledge and understanding of the following:
Earth in Space
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setting of the Earth in the solar system;
setting and evolution of the solar system in the universe (not in grade 4);
tools and technology that are used to gather information about space;
apparent daily motions of the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the stars;
rotation of the Earth about its axis, and the Earth's revolution around the Sun;
tilt of the Earth's axis that produces seasonal variations in climate; and
earth as a unique member of the solar system that may be approximated in other galaxies in
the universe, and that evolved at least 4.5 billion years ago.
Knowing and Doing Science
Conceptual Understanding
Conceptual understanding includes the body of scientific knowledge that students draw upon when
conducting a scientific investigation or engaging in practical reasoning. Essential scientific concepts
involve a variety of information, including facts and events the student learns from both science
instruction and experiences with natural environment; and scientific concepts, principles, laws, and
theories that scientists use to explain and predict observations of the natural world.
NAEP released item, grade 12