Earth in Space - Chapter 14

Introductory Vocabulary rotate to spin around a central axis equator imaginary line that divides the earth into two halves revolution the movement of one object around another rotation the spinning motion of a planet on its axis orbit a slightly elongated circle, or ellipse, that the earth takes around the sun solstice the days when the sun is the farthest north or farthest south it will go on the Earth. equinox when the noon sun is directly overhead at the equator Choose the correct term HOW DOES EARTH MOVE?Earth moves in space in two major ways, rotation and revolution.Earth's rotation causes day and night.It takes the Earth about 24 hours to rotate once.One revolution of the Earth around the Sun is called a year.A calendar is a system of organizing time that defines the beginning, length, and divisions of a year. Choose the correct term. WHAT CAUSES SEASONS?Near the equator, sunlight hits Earth's surface from almost overhead.Near the poles, sunlight is at a steep angle. This causes the sun to be spread out over a greater area.This is why it is warmer at the equator than at the poles.Earth has seasons because its axis is tilted as it revolves around the sun.The axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees from vertical.The north pole always points the same direction.The north pole is tilted towards the sun for part of the year and away from the sun for part of the year.The seasons are causes by Earth's tilt as it revolves around the sun. Determine which statements are for solstices and which are for equinoxes. Solstice the sun is at its farthest north the sun is at its farthest south start of winter start of summer June 21 December 21 Equinox neither hemisphere is tilted toward the sun the sun is over the equator start of spring start of autumn March 21 September 22 Fill in the months and seasons for the northern hemisphere. One has been done for you. September December March Autumn Winter Spring What are the two major motions of Earth as it travels through space? Orbit and tilt rotation and spin rotation and revolution spin and tilt What motion causes day and night? Earth's revolution Earth's rotation Earth's axis Earth's tilt What causes the seasons? The distance between Earth and the sun The tilt of Earth's axis Length of time until the solstice Location on Earth relative to the equator True or False: We live in an indirect sunlight area. true false According to the diagram, which of the following factors keeps Earth in motion around the sun? friction and gravity friction and intertia speed and inertia inertia and gravity