Earth and the Sun

 

 

 

The Sun

 

• The Sun is our nearest star.
• Its energy makes everything work on Earth.
• Each morning, the Sun rises in the East.
• At midday, the Sun is in the South
• At dusk, the Sun sets in the West.

Why?

 

Because the Earth is rotating from West to East.

 

 

 

Why do we have day and night ?

Day and night are caused by the Earth spinning on its axis once every 24 hours.  One day is made up of one complete rotation of the Earth.  For example, Sunday or a Monday.

Try this yourself!

• Get a torch and a ball to find out why we get night and day.

• Point the torch towards the ball and rotate it from left to 
  right (west to east).                                                         

• What do you see ?

• Answer - click here.

 

 

What is a year ?

A year is the time taken for the Earth to journey once around the Sun. 

Q.  How many days does it take for the earth to complete one journey round the Sun?

Q.  How many times does the Earth spins on its axis while it makes this journey? 

Q.  How many months are there in one year?

Q.  The Earth travels in an ellipse.  Why does it not travel in a full circle?  

Q.  Why do we have shorter days during winter and longer days during summer?

Q.  Is the the Sun higher in the sky during winter or summer ?

Answers - Click here. 

 

Try this yourself!

Use a lamp (or a torch) and a ball to investigate how the Earth moves in orbit round the Sun - Hint!.....keep the tilt of the Earth at the same angle all the time.

 

Continue... Seasons

 

☀️ Knowledge Check: Earth and the Sun

Test your understanding of Earth's movement and the cycles of day, night, and seasons.

1. How long does it take for the Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis?

• 12 hours
• 24 hours
• 365 days

2. At what angle is the Earth's axis tilted relative to its orbit?

• 0 degrees
• 23.5 degrees
• 45 degrees

3. Which movement of the Earth is responsible for the transition between summer and winter?

• Earth's rotation on its axis
• Earth's orbit around the Sun combined with its axial tilt
• The Sun's movement around the Earth

4. During which event do we experience nearly equal hours of day and night?

• The Solstice
• The Equinox
• Midsummer

5. Why is it colder in winter than in summer?

• The Earth is further away from the Sun.
• That hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, receiving less direct sunlight.
• The Sun produces less energy during winter months.

Click to Reveal Answers

1. 24 hours (This rotation causes the cycle of day and night).
2. 23.5 degrees (This tilt is constant throughout Earth's orbit).
3. Earth's orbit around the Sun combined with its axial tilt (This causes different parts of Earth to lean toward or away from the Sun).
4. The Equinox (Occurring twice a year when the tilt is neither toward nor away from the Sun).
5. The hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun (Sunlight is spread over a larger area and is less intense).

Tags: Earth and Sun, Earth, Sun