earth science Test Worksheet: Motion Of Objects In The Solar System

Print PDF 🖶

Earth Science worksheet
Topic: Motion Of Objects In The Solar System

Motion Of Objects In The Solar System

The photographs below show two celestial objects just before, during, and just after a total solar eclipse as viewed by an observer located in Kingston, Tennessee, on August 21, 2017.

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-exam_g6.png

Which diagram represents the location of the Moon in its orbit at the time that each of these three photographs (1, 2, and 3) were taken? (Diagrams are not drawn to scale.)

(1) seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-exam_g2.png

(2) seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-exam_g3.png

(3) seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-exam_g4.png

(4) seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-exam_g5.png

The diagram below represents Earth in four positions, labeled A, B, C, and D, in its orbit around the Sun on the first day of each season.

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, seasons-and-astronomy, seasons, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-exam_g7.png

Between which two consecutive positions is the summer season occurring in the Northern Hemisphere?

(1) A and B

(2) B and C

(3) C and D

(4) D and A

Base your answers to questions 3 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the elliptical orbit for one planet in our solar system. The two foci of the orbit are shown as the Sun and F₂.

seasons-and-astronomy, the-solar-system, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, velocity-slope-sediment-size-channel-shape-stream-valume-distance-from-the-sun-gravitational-force-period-of-revolution-speed-of-revolution, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci-v202-exam_g30.png

The arrangement and movement of celestial objects in our solar system is best described by the

(1) spiral model

(2) cosmic model

(3) geocentric model

(4) heliocentric model

Which event is cyclic and predictable?

(1) a volcano erupting above a subducting tectonic plate

(2) an earthquake occurring at the San Andreas Fault

(3) Jupiter’s apparent movement across the night sky

(4) an asteroid striking Earth’s surface

A high tide occurred at 6:00 a.m. at a beach on Long Island. The next high tide at this same beach would occur at approximately

(1) 12:15 p.m. on the same day

(2) 6:30 p.m. on the same day

(3) 12:45 p.m. on the following day

(4) 7:00 a.m. on the following day

Seasonal changes on Earth are primarily caused by the

(1) parallelism of the Sun’s axis as the Sun revolves around Earth

(2) changes in distance between Earth and the Sun

(3) elliptical shape of Earth’s orbit around the Sun

(4) tilt of Earth’s axis as Earth revolves around the Sun

During which Northern Hemisphere season is Earth closest to the Sun?

(1) spring

(2) summer

(3) autumn

(4) winter

Base your answers to questions 8 on the calendar below, on the diagram in image provided, and on your knowledge of Earth science. The calendar shows the phases of the Moon for January 2019 as viewed by an observer in New York State. Some phases have been labeled. The diagram on your answer sheet represents eight positions of the Moon in its orbit around Earth.

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-exam_g48.png

In image below, circle the position of the Moon in its orbit that produced the moon phase observed on January 17, 2019. [1]

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-v202-ansbk_abkq3.png

Allow 1 credit for circling only the position shown in the example below.

Base your answers to questions 9 on the diagram below, which shows the Moon at position 1 in its orbit around Earth. Numbers 2 through 8 represent other positions in the Moon’s orbit.

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12012-examw_g35.png

On the diagram in the image provided, shade the portion of the Moon that is in darkness as viewed from New York State when the Moon is at position 1. [1]

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci-ansbklt112w_abkq1.png

Allow 1 credit if the student shades more than half of the Moon, leaving a lighted portion on the right edge as shown below.

•

Base your answers to questions 10 on the diagram in image provided, which shows Earth as viewed from space on December 21. Some latitudes are labeled.

State one factor, other than the tilt of Earth’s axis, that causes seasons to change on Earth. [1]

Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:

• — parallelism of Earth’s axis

• — The North Pole always points toward Polaris.

• — revolution of Earth

• — location of the Sun’s vertical ray

• — duration/intensity of insolation

• — angle of insolation

Base your answers to questions 11 on the diagram in image provided, which represents eight positions of the Moon in its orbit around Earth.

On the diagram in the image provided, circle the position of the Moon where a solar eclipse is possible. [1]

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, use-isolines-to-determine-a-source-of-pollution, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, geocentric-model-heliocentric-model, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12013-ansbk_abkq7.png

Allow 1 credit for circling only position 6.

Base your answers to questions 12 on the diagram in image provided and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the orbits of Earth, Venus, and Mercury. Earth, Venus, and Mercury are shown with a dot on each of their orbital paths. The numbers on each orbital path indicate the planet’s positions on successive days in its revolution. Point M is a position on Earth’s orbit. Each season in the Northern Hemisphere on Earth is labeled.

On the diagram in the image provided, place an X on each planet’s orbital path to show the positions of Earth, Venus, and Mercury on the 55th day of each planet’s orbit. [1]

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, seasons-and-astronomy, the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12014-ansbk_abkq8.png

Allow 1 credit if the centers of all three Xs are within the circles shown below.

• Note: Do not allow credit if more than one X is placed on any orbit.

• Allow credit even if a symbol other than an X is used.. It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer booklet be used to ensure reliability in rating.

•

Base your answers to questions 13 on the graph below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The graph shows the average daily heights above or below sea level of high and low tides from April 15 to May 15, for a New York State location. Five Moon phases are indicated at the dates on which they occurred.

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12015-examw_g50.png

On the diagram in the image provided, place an X on the Moon’s orbit to indicate the Moon’s position on April 15. [1]

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12015-ansbk_abkq2.png

Allow 1 credit if the center of the X is drawn within or touches the clear banded region shown below.

• Note: Allow credit if a symbol other than an X is used.

• It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer booklet be used to ensure reliability in rating.

•

Base your answers to questions 14 on the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The table shows the distances from Earth to the Moon for certain days during December 2010. The percent of the Moon illuminated by the Sun as seen from Earth is also given.

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, seasons-and-astronomy, the-solar-system, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, eccentricity-rate-gradient-standard-error fig: esci12016-examw_g44.png

On the grid in the image provided, the Earth–Moon distance data from December 2 to December 12 have already been plotted. Complete the line graph by plotting the Earth–Moon distances from December 14 to December 30. Continue the line from December 12 through all nine of your plotted points. [1]

Allow 1 credit if the centers of all nine of the student’s plots are within or touch the circles shown and all 15 plots are correctly connected with a line that passes within or touches each circle.

• Note: Allow credit if the line misses a plot but is still within or touches the circle.

• It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer booklet be used to ensure reliability in rating.

•

Base your answers to questions 15 on the diagram in image provided and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the Moon’s orbit around Earth as viewed from space above Earth’s North Pole (NP). Letter A represents one position of the Moon in its orbit.

On the diagram in the image provided, place an X on the Moon’s orbit to indicate the position of the Moon when a solar eclipse would be observed from Earth. [1]

seasons-and-astronomy, motion-of-objects-in-the-solar-system, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12017-ansbk_abkq5.png

Allow 1 credit if the center of the X is within or touches the box on the Moon’s orbit, as shown below.

• Note: It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer sheet be used to

• ensure reliability in rating.. Allow credit if a symbol other than an X is used.

•