5th Grade Science : Patterns of Light and Stars

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 5th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Patterns Of Light And Stars

A series of photographs of a 1-meter stick and shadow were taken throughout the day. Students analyzed the photos and recorded the data in the table below. What pattern(s) are revealed about the length of the shadow in the provided data?

Screen shot 2020 06 25 at 8.54.12 am

Possible Answers:

The length of the shadow decreased throughout the day until it reached the Sun's peak.

All of the answer choices are correct.

The angle of the shadows decreased throughout the day.

The length of the shadows increased after the peak.

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

Data tables are a great way to organize and analyze information from an investigation or experiment. In this investigation, a series of time-lapsed photos were taken from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm, and students measured the length of the shadow that a 1-meter long stick created as well as the angle of the shadow. When reviewing the data, a pattern was revealed about the length of the shadow. The length of the shadow decreased throughout the day until it reached its shortest measurement at the Sun's peak. The length of the shadows increased after this peak. Looking at the column labeled "length," the measurements are increasing until the Sun reaches its peak during the 1:00 pm hour. After the Sun is no longer at its highest point, the length of the shadow begins to increase again. The angle of the shadows also decreased throughout the day. Analyzing data can often lead to patterns being recognized, and predictions about future measurements can be made.

Example Question #1 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

Mrs. Sweeterman's class is investigating shadows today in the science lab. She hands out a task card, a sheet of large white paper, a cup, and a flashlight to each group. They take turns holding the flashlight in various positions to observe the shadow made by the cup on paper. When all of the students finished their observations, the class discussed the shadows they made and how the amount of light impacted the size of the shadows. Their observations are documented below.

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 10.05.23 am

What caused the shadow to change during the investigation?

Possible Answers:

The cup changed when the position of the shadow changed.

The cup changed when the size of the shadow changed.

The shadow changed when the position of the cup changed.

The shadow changed when the position of the shadow changed.

Correct answer:

The shadow changed when the position of the cup changed.

Explanation:

Data tables are a great way to organize and analyze information from an investigation or experiment. Analyzing data can often lead to patterns being recognized, and predictions about future measurements can be made. Based on the investigation that Mrs. Sweeterman's class conducted, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the position of the cup and the position, length, and angle of the shadow. As the cup (Earth) moved positions, the shadow changed as well. The angle and length of the shadow also vary when the position of the cup (Earth) changes.

 

Example Question #2 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

A series of photographs of a 1-meter stick and shadow were taken throughout the day. Students analyzed the photos and recorded the data in the table below. What pattern(s) are revealed about the angle of the shadow in the provided data?

Screen shot 2020 06 25 at 8.54.12 am

Possible Answers:

The measurement of angles decreases as the day progresses.

The measurement of angles increases as the day progresses.

The measurement of angles increases then decreases as the day progresses.

The measurement of angles remains the same as the day progresses.

Correct answer:

The measurement of angles decreases as the day progresses.

Explanation:

Data tables are a great way to organize and analyze information from an investigation or experiment. In this investigation, a series of time-lapsed photos were taken from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm, and students measured the length of the shadow that a 1-meter long stick created as well as the angle of the shadow. When reviewing the data, a pattern was revealed about the angles of the shadow. The angle of the shadow decreased throughout the day until sunset when the shadow disappeared. Analyzing data can often lead to patterns being recognized, and predictions about future measurements can be made. A prediction could be made that a similar measurement of angles would be found tomorrow and each day thereafter.

Example Question #3 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

A series of photographs of a 1-meter stick and shadow were taken throughout the day. Students analyzed the photos and recorded the data in the table below. Based on this data, what can be predicted to happen with the shadows tomorrow if measured at the same time?

Screen shot 2020 06 25 at 8.54.12 am

Possible Answers:

The measurements will be vastly larger.

There is no way to predict what the measurements will be.

The measurements will be vastly less.

The measurements will be very similar.

Correct answer:

The measurements will be very similar.

Explanation:

Data tables are a great way to organize and analyze information from an investigation or experiment. In this investigation, a series of time-lapsed photos were taken from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm, and students measured the length of the shadow that a 1-meter long stick created as well as the angle of the shadow. When reviewing the data, a pattern was revealed about the length of the shadow. The length of the shadow decreased throughout the day until it reached its shortest measurement at the Sun's peak. The length of the shadows increased after this peak. Looking at the column labeled "length," the measurements are increasing until the Sun reaches its peak during the 1:00 pm hour. After the Sun is no longer at its highest point, the length of the shadow begins to increase again. The angles decrease as the day progresses until nighttime begins, and there is no shadow. Analyzing data can often lead to patterns being recognized, and predictions about future measurements can be made. The trend will be the same tomorrow to the measurements will be very similar. There might be a slight difference because the Earth has traveled another day in its revolution around the Sun.

 

Example Question #1 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

The orbits of Earth around the Sun and of the Moon around Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis between its north and south poles, cause observable patterns. These include daily changes in the length and direction of shadows.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The statement in the question is correct. Patterns within shadows can be seen by measuring the length and direction and comparing them daily. The Earth's rotation causes the shadows to change throughout the day. The rotation of the Earth also causes day and night. The Earth's revolution causes slight changes in the length of these things because of its location in orbit.

Example Question #3 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

The NASA provided photo below is depicting what shadow pattern that happens nightly?

Screen shot 2020 09 22 at 12.08.34 pm

Possible Answers:

The Moon phases

The Earth's rotation

The Earth's revolution

The water cycle

Correct answer:

The Moon phases

Explanation:

The shadow pattern that is depicted in the photo is the moon phases. The picture demonstrates where the Moon is located in regard to the Earth and how the Moon appears to us.

NASA explains more about this cycle, "If you have looked into the night sky, you may have noticed the Moon appears to change shape each night. Some nights, the Moon might look like a narrow crescent. Other nights, the Moon might look like a bright circle. And on other nights, you might not be able to see the Moon at all. The different shapes of the Moon that we see at different times of the month are called the Moon’s phases. The Moon does not produce its own light. There is only one source of light in our solar system, and that is the Sun. Without the Sun, our Moon would be completely dark. What you may have heard referred to as “moonlight” is actually just sunlight reflecting off of the Moon’s surface. The Sun’s light comes from one direction, and it always illuminates, or lights up, one half of the Moon – the side of the Moon that is facing the Sun. The other side of the Moon is dark."

Source: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/en/

Example Question #4 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

A moon phase is one of the shapes the moon seems to have as it orbits Earth. When Earth is between the moon and the sun, you see a Full Moon. When the moon is between Earth and the sun, you can’t see the moon at all.  What is this phase called?

Possible Answers:

Third Quarter

New Moon

First Quarter

Full Moon

Correct answer:

New Moon

Explanation:

The shadow pattern that is depicted in the photo is the moon phases. The picture demonstrates where the Moon is located in regard to the Earth and how the Moon appears to us.

NASA explains more about this cycle, “If you have looked into the night sky, you may have noticed the Moon appears to change shape each night. Some nights, the Moon might look like a narrow crescent. Other nights, the Moon might look like a bright circle. And on other nights, you might not be able to see the Moon at all. The different shapes of the Moon that we see at different times of the month are called the Moon’s phases. The Moon does not produce its own light. There is only one source of light in our solar system, and that is the Sun. Without the Sun, our Moon would be completely dark. What you may have heard referred to as “moonlight” is actually just sunlight reflecting off of the Moon’s surface. The Sun’s light comes from one direction, and it always illuminates, or lights up, one half of the Moon – the side of the Moon that is facing the Sun. The other side of the Moon is dark.”

Source: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/en/

Example Question #1 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

If there was a full moon last night over Atlanta, Georgia, when would the next full moon occur over Atlanta?

Possible Answers:

In about 1 week

In about 1 year

In about 1 month

In about 1 day

Correct answer:

In about 1 month

Explanation:

The shadow pattern that is depicted in the photo is the moon phases. The picture demonstrates where the Moon is located in regard to the Earth and how the Moon appears to us.

NASA explains more about this cycle, “If you have looked into the night sky, you may have noticed the Moon appears to change shape each night. Some nights, the Moon might look like a narrow crescent. Other nights, the Moon might look like a bright circle. And on other nights, you might not be able to see the Moon at all. The different shapes of the Moon that we see at different times of the month are called the Moon’s phases. The Moon does not produce its own light. There is only one source of light in our solar system, and that is the Sun. Without the Sun, our Moon would be completely dark. What you may have heard referred to as “moonlight” is actually just sunlight reflecting off of the Moon’s surface. The Sun’s light comes from one direction, and it always illuminates, or lights up, one half of the Moon – the side of the Moon that is facing the Sun. The other side of the Moon is dark.”

Source: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/en/

Example Question #1 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

When the Sun shines on the telephone pole, a shadow of the telephone pole is cast. At different times of the day _________ .

Possible Answers:

the shadow will be at a different place and have a different length

the shadow will be at a different place

the shadow remains in the same place and has the same length

the shadow will have a different length

Correct answer:

the shadow will be at a different place and have a different length

Explanation:

Patterns within shadows can be seen by measuring the length and direction and comparing them daily. The Earth's rotation causes the shadows to change throughout the day. The rotation of the Earth also causes day and night. The Earth's revolution causes slight changes in the length of these things because of its location in orbit. The correct answer is "the shadow will be at a different place and have a different length" because of the movement of the Earth.

Example Question #6 : Reveal Patterns In Length And Direction Of Shadows

The rotation of the _______ on its axis causes the position and length of the shadow to change.

Possible Answers:

Earth

Moon

Sun

Correct answer:

Earth

Explanation:

Patterns within shadows can be seen by measuring the length and direction and comparing them daily. The Earth's rotation causes the shadows to change throughout the day. The rotation of the Earth also causes day and night. The Earth's revolution causes slight changes in the length of these things because of its location in orbit.

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