Download Earth, Sun and Moon Test Study Guide

Earth, Sun and Moon Test Review
1. How are lunar maria different than lunar highlands?
Lunar maria are flat, dark patches on the moon. They are caused by lava flow that cooled
millions of years ago. Lunar highlands are bright and rugged terrain.
2. How did Earth obtain its moon?
Giant impact theory descirbes that a large body struck the early Earth. The debris from
the crash formed the moon. The moon is composed of material from both the Earth and
the other body.
3. Define Revolution
The movement of a body around another body. The moon revolves around the Earth.
The Earth revolves around the sun.
4. Explain the effects of the Earth’s rotation
Earth’s rotation causes day and night.
5. Who revolves around who in the Earth, Sun and Moon system
Earth revolves around the Sun. The Moon revolves around the Earth.
6. Define rotation
The spinning of a body on its axis. The Earth rotates once every 24 hours. The moon
rotates once every 27.3 days.
7. Draw where the sun, Earth and moon must be for each of the 8 phases of the moon.
8. Describe synchronous rotation. What effect does it have for us on Earth?
The moon orbits the Earth at the same rate as it revolves. This means that we will only
see one side of the moon from Earth.
9. Define an eclipse
The darkening of a celestial body (sun or moon) due to the alignment of shadows.
10.Explain AND draw a solar eclipse
Occurs at the new moon when the Earth passes into the shadow of the moon.
11.Explain a total solar eclipse
When the entire disc of the moon covers the disc of the Sun. You must be standing in the
umbra of the moon in order to experience a total solar eclipse.
12.Explain a total lunar eclipse
During the Full moon when the moon passes into the shadow of the Earth. The moon
becomes darkened.
13.Define the word tides
The cyclical rising and falling of ocean waters due to the gravitational attraction of the
moon and sun to the Earth.
14.What is the major factor that causes tides
The moon’s gravitational pull.
15.Explain how many tides occur in a 24-hour period and why.
There are 2 high tides and 2 low tides every 24 hours. The high tide will always be in
alignment with the moon. As the Earth rotates, the side of the Earth facing the moon will
change and therefore the tides change.
16.List the 2 phases of the moon when a neap tide can occur. Draw the Earth, moon and Sun
in both positions.
First and third quarter
17.List the 2 phases of the moon when a spring tide can occur. Draw the Earth, moon and
Sun in both positions.
Full and New Moon
18.List the 2 reasons for the seasonal variation in temperatures caused by the tilt of the
Earth’s axis.
Changing length of day- there are more hours of daylight in the summer as compared to
the winter
Changing angle of the sun in the sky- The sun is higher in the sky in summer (more direct
sunlight). The sun is lower in the sky in the winter (less direct sunlight)
19.Define a solstice and provide the 2 dates
When the Sun is directly overhead at the furthest north or South of the Equator. Summer
Solstice is June 20/21 and Winter Solstice is December 20/21
20.Define an equinox and provide the 2 dates
When the Sun is directly overhead at the Equator. Fall Equinox- September 22/23 and
Spring Equinox March 22/23
21.Draw an image of Earth’s revolution around the Sun. Include the North Star. Label fall,
spring, winter and summer
Phases, Eclipses, and Tides Worksheet
Understanding Main Ideas
Use the following figure to answer questions 1 and 2.
1. What phases of the moon would someone on Earth see when
the moon is at positions A through F?
2. What kind of tide (spring or neap) will occur when the moon is at positions A, C, D, and F?
Building Vocabulary
From the list below, choose the term that best completes each sentence, and write it in the blank.
phase
tides
gravity
lunar
penumbra
umbra
eclipse
spring
solar
neap
3. A(n) ____________________ tide occurs when the sun is at right angles to the line between Earth
and the moon.
4. A(n) __________________ occurs when the moon's shadow hits Earth or Earth's shadow hits the moon.
5. A person standing in the moon's ________________ would see a partial solar eclipse.
6. Differences in the moon's pull on different parts of Earth cause
____________________________.
7. A person standing in the moon's ________________ would see a total solar eclipse.
8. The ________________ of the moon you see depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth.
9. A(n) __________________ tide occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth line up.
10. A(n) ________________ eclipse occurs at a full moon when Earth is directly between the moon and the sun.
11. A(n) ________________ eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun.
12. The force of __________________ pulls the moon and Earth toward each other.