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 These are ALL True statements
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.
Wind and the salt concentration of the oceans drive the currents.
22.
Land heats up and cools down more quickly than large bodies of water.
23.
Direct rays of the Sun have more energy than oblique rays.
24.
Because of the Coriolis effect, surface currents in the Northern Hemisphere move in a
clockwise direction.
25.
The Equator is at 0 degrees latitude.
Short Answers
26.
Portland on the West coast of the United States is at the same latitude as Minneapolis,
Minnesota. Which would have colder winters? WHY?
Minneapolis, Minnesota will have colder winters because it does not have a big body of
water next to it like Portland has (the Pacific Ocean). Land cools off faster than water.
27.
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.
28.
What are the TWO reasons we have seasons?
1. The Earth’s TILT
2. The Revolution of Earth around the Sun
29.
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.
Why is the West coast of the United States colder than the East coast? The Gulf
Stream current on the East coast is WARM (coming from Equator), while the ocean
current on the West coast is COLD (coming from the Arctic).
Why is Fairbanks WARMER in the summer than Anchorage? Fairbanks is inland,
and not close to the ocean which helps cool Anchorage.
Why does an egg float in salt water but sinks in fresh water?
Salt water is more dense than the egg.
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)
30.
31.
32.
33.
Also, please check that your QUESTION of the Day is complete, question and answer both. You
may use your questions on the test. (Include DATES on your questions!)
BONUS Questions
1. What does Foucault”s Pendulum prove? (The Earth is rotating)
2. Who made the first U.S. Daylight Savings Time? Benjamin Franklin
3. When does DST begin this year? (March 13, 2011)
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.
Sketch an analemma below. Describe 3 points and what each means.
Summer Solstice
Fall or Spring
Equinoxes
Winter Solstice