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Sun-Earth-Moon System Review
Sun-Earth-Moon
22
Science
6th Grade
10/19/2014

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Why do we experience day and night?
Definition
the earth rotates towards and away from the sun
Term
What is rotation as related to space science?
Definition
when an object spins on its axis
Term
What is revolution as related to space science?
Definition

when an object travels around another object

Term
Describe the Moon's period of rotation and revolution:
Definition
it takes about a month
Term

Describe the relative size and distance relationships among the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

 

Definition
  • The Earth is 4x bigger than the moon
  • 109 Earths fit across the sun
  • the moon is 30 Earth's away
  • Sun is 400xs larger than the moon
Term
Why can the Moon appear as large as the Sun even though we know the Moon is much smaller than the sun?
Definition
The sun is 400xs larger than the moon but 400x farther. This makes the them appear equal in size
Term
Why do shadows change during the day? You may draw a pictire to show changes in shadow length relative to the Sun's position in the sky.
Definition

longest - sunrise and sunset (sun is close to the horizon)

 

shortest - solar noon (sun is at the highest point in the sky)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term
Explain why shadows lengths change throughout the year.
Definition

In the summer, shadows are shorter because the sun is high in the sky.

 

In the winter, shadows are longer because the sun is low in the sky.

 

Term
What causes the seasons?
Definition

The earth is tilted on its axis.

 

As the Earth revolves, it is tilted on its axis.  At certain times during its revolution, a part of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun.  The part tilted towards the sun is experiencing summer and the other hemishpere tilted away from the sun is experiencing winter.

Term
What factors (other than the Earth's tilted axis) affect how hot or cold it is in any one place on Earth?
Definition
  • weather (atmosphere)
  • sunspots
  • length of day
  • surface composition
Term
Looking at the Moon from space, how much of the Moon always receives light from the Sun? (explain)
Definition
the moon is always half lit from the Sun
Term
Why don't we have eclipses every month?
Definition
The Moon's orbit is tilted and the Sun, Earth, and Moon do not directly align every month - the moon's shadow falls either above or below the earth most months
Term
What is the source of energy for the Earth?
Definition
the sun radiation (light & heat)
Term
What can you conclude from your observation of sunspots?
Definition
the sun is a sphere of gas that rotates
Term
Phases of the moon:
Definition
  1. new noon (see nothing)
  2. waxing crescent (backwards C)
  3. first quarter moon (half moon)
  4. waxing gibbous (almost full)
  5. full moon (all)
  6. waning gibbous (almost full other side)
  7. last quarter moon (other half of the moon)
  8. waning crescent (looks like a C)
Term
Why do solar and lunar eclipses occur?
Definition

due to the moon revolving around the Earth, sometimes all 3 bodies will align

 

Term
During which phase of the moon does a solar eclipse occur?
Definition
new moon
Term
During which phase of the moon does a lunar eclipse occur?
Definition
full moon
Term
How is Earth protected from receiving too much solar radiation?
Definition
the magnetosphere & atmosphere
Term
What is space weather?
Definition
conditions from the sun that ultimately affect the Earth
Term
How does space weather affect Earth, including its space environment?
Definition

affects space craft electronics

affects human health, auroras, and navigation

Term
What are the auroras and how do they form?
Definition
form when gases from the Earth's atmoshpere interact with charged particles from solar winds.  They cause color lights in the sky at the poles.
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