6th Grade Earth Science Study guide: Unit 2 Earth-Sun-Moon
Systems test Monday November 18th, 2024
Reminder: This study guide will help you prepare for your test on the phases
of the Moon, solar and lunar eclipses, and Earth's axial tilt. Read through
each section carefully and fill in to test your knowledge.
DOK: Depth of Knowledge
DOK Level 1: Recall and Reproduction
*Focus: *Basic knowledge of moon phases, eclipses, and Earth-Sun-Moon
relationships.
1. What is the phase of the Moon when it is between the Earth
and the Sun?
2. Which phase occurs when the Moon is opposite the Sun in the
sky?
3. What causes the Moon to have phases?
4. During which phase of the Moon is the Moon’s surface fully
illuminated from Earth’s perspective?
5. Which event occurs during a solar eclipse?
DOK Level 2: Skills and Concepts
*Focus: *Understanding the causes and relationships behind the Moon’s
phases, eclipses, and Earth’s axial tilt.
6. Which describes the position of the Moon during the First
Quarter phase?
7. What causes the seasons on Earth?
8. Why don’t solar eclipses happen every month?
9. If the Earth’s axial tilt were 0° (i.e., no tilt), how would that
affect the seasons?
10. How does the tilt of the Earth affect the amount of
sunlight the poles receive during the Summer Solstice?
DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking
*Focus: *Analyzing the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, and
understanding the impacts of the axial tilt and orbital mechanics on eclipses
and seasons.
11. Which of the following positions of the Earth, Sun, and
Moon would result in a total lunar eclipse?
12. When is the best chance for a solar eclipse to occur?
13. Using the diagram of Earth’s orbit and tilt below, explain
how the distribution of sunlight affects the seasons in the
Northern Hemisphere during the Winter Solstice.
14. During a lunar eclipse, why does the Moon appear red?
15. If the Earth’s axial tilt were 10° instead of 23.5°, what
would happen to the intensity of the Sun’s rays at higher
latitudes?
DOK Level 4: Extended Thinking
*Focus: *Applying complex understanding of the Earth-Moon-Sun system to
hypothetical scenarios and deeper analysis of axial tilt and orbital
mechanics.
16. Critical Written Response: Imagine that you are tasked
with designing a new planet that orbits a different star. The
planet has an axial tilt of 45° instead of 23.5°. Describe the
effects this would have on the planet’s seasons and the
distribution of sunlight at different latitudes.
17. How would the Moon’s orbit affect the occurrence of solar
and lunar eclipses if the Moon’s orbit was more elliptical?
Explain the potential changes to the frequency and intensity of
eclipses.
18. In a classroom experiment, data shows that as the tilt of
the Earth increases, the temperature differences between the
equator and poles also increase. Based on this data, explain
how the Earth’s axial tilt relates to seasonal variation in
temperature and why it is more pronounced at higher
latitudes.
19. Examine the diagram below showing the Earth, Sun, and Moon
during the Vernal Equinox. What effect does this alignment
have on the distribution of sunlight around the Earth, and how
does it affect the seasons in both hemispheres? What is the
vernal equinox also known as? **The vernal equinox is also known as the
spring equinox because it marks the first day of spring. The vernal equinox occurs in
March in the northern hemisphere, and in September in the southern hemisphere.
When exactly is the vernal equinox? The Vernal Equinox occurs on March 20th or
21st in the northern hemisphere. And it occurs on September 22nd or 23rd in the
southern hemisphere. What happens on the vernal equinox? On the vernal
equinox, the Sun is directly overhead while standing on the equator at noon. This
occurs because Earth's tilt is pointing in the direction of its orbital path, and the Sun's
most direct radiation is striking the Earth at the equator. This also results in the
daytime hours and nighttime hours being approximately equal (12 hours each), and
sunsets and sunrises to be at their shortest lengths throughout the year.
20. Which of the following statements is true about the
Earth's axial tilt and its relationship to the Sun’s apparent
position in the sky during the course of the year?
a) The axial tilt causes the Sun to appear in different positions in the sky
throughout the year, resulting in seasons.
b) The axial tilt causes the Sun to stay in the same position in the sky
year-round.
c) The axial tilt causes the Sun to be directly overhead at the equator all
year.
d) The axial tilt has no effect on the position of the Sun in the sky.
Review Notes:
The Moon’s phases occur due to its position relative to the Earth and
Sun.
Solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between the Earth and
Sun, and lunar eclipses happen when the Earth passes between the
Sun and the Moon.
Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, not the distance
from the Sun.
The Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes are times when both
hemispheres receive equal sunlight, marking the change of seasons.
