5th Grade Science : Reveal patterns in length of day and night

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Antwon researched the lengths of day and night in different parts of the world on the same day. He created a data table to display the number of daylight hours a specific latitude received on the same day (November 8th). What pattern(s) does the data table reveal about the length of day and night?

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Possible Answers:

The more Northern the latitude, the more daylight hours there are on November 8th.

The more Northern the latitude, the fewer daylight hours there are on November 8th.

The more Southern the latitude, the fewer daylight hours there are on November 8th.

The more Southern the latitude, the more nighttime hours there are on November 8th.

Correct answer:

The more Northern the latitude, the fewer daylight hours there are on November 8th.

Explanation:

Antwon using a data table to present the information is a clear and organized way to help others understand what his research revealed. Based on the data, it can be seen that as the number of daylight hours increases, the number of nighttime hours decreases the further south traveled. At a latitude of 90o South, there are 24 hours of sunlight and 0 minutes/hours of daylight compared to a latitude of 90o North where there is absolutely no daylight. Analyzing data can reveal patterns that help us understand the natural world and make predictions about future events.

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this change takes place, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #2 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

An Earth day is 24 hours because the Earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this is true, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

The Earth rotating on its axis is the cause for day and night. When it is daytime for half of Earth, it is nighttime for the other half.

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #3 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Why is half of the Earth dark and the other half white in this diagram?

Side of the spherical earth illuminated by the sun.

Source of diagram: The Victoria State Education and Training department

Possible Answers:

Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun.

Day and night are due to the Earth revolving around the Sun, not its rotation on its axis.

Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis and its revolution around the Sun.

Day and night are due to the Earth revolving on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun.

Correct answer:

Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun.

Explanation:

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why half of the Earth is in nighttime and the other daytime, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

At any one time, half of the Earth's sphere is in sunlight while the other half is in darkness. The Earth's rotation causes this change to take place every day. It is a predictable pattern that we can count on.

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #4 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Mr. Green's class is studying the Solar System and Milky Way Galaxy. Today they are doing an investigation in the lab. Asia and Chele are partners for today's activity. They are given a ping pong ball with a sticker on one side, a flashlight, and their lab journals with a pencil for recording observations or data. Mr. Green turns off the lights. Asia holds the ping pong ball that represents Earth at a slight angle (like its axis) while Chele shines a flashlight on the center of the ball. Asia slowly rotates the Earth counterclockwise, and they observe where the light shines and where it doesn't. They take notice of the sticker and whether the sun shines on it or it is in darkness while the Earth rotates. Their observations are below.

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Based on Asia and Chele's observations, how do we know which areas of the world are experiencing daytime?

Possible Answers:

The parts of the Earth that are facing the Sun will experience nighttime while the other half experiences day.

The parts of the Earth that are facing away from the Sun will experience daytime while the other half experiences night.

The parts of the Earth that are facing the Sun will experience daytime while the other half experiences night.

Asia and Chele's investigation does not reveal any patterns or information about nighttime and daytime.

Correct answer:

The parts of the Earth that are facing the Sun will experience daytime while the other half experiences night.

Explanation:

The part of Earth facing the Sun will experience day time. The opposite side will be experiencing nighttime. The Earth's rotation on its axis determines daytime and night because of its location regarding the Sun.

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this is true, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the Sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #5 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Mr. Green's class is studying the Solar System and Milky Way Galaxy. Today they are doing an investigation in the lab. Asia and Chele are partners for today's activity. They are given a ping pong ball with a sticker on one side, a flashlight, and their lab journals with a pencil for recording observations or data. Mr. Green turns off the lights. Asia holds the ping pong ball that represents Earth at a slight angle (like its axis) while Chele shines a flashlight on the center of the ball. Asia slowly rotates the Earth counterclockwise, and they observe where the light shines and where it doesn't. They take notice of the sticker and whether the sun shines on it or it is in darkness while the Earth rotates. Their observations are below.

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 8.43.34 am

How does the amount of sunlight change as the Earth rotates?

Possible Answers:

The part of the Earth that faces the Sun gets brighter as it rotates towards the light and will soon be dark and experience night. The part that was facing away from the Sun starts to get darker as it moves into the daytime and receives light.

The part of the Earth that faces the Sun gets dimmer as it rotates towards from the light and will soon be dark and experience day. The part that was facing away from the Sun starts to get lighter as it moves into the daytime and receives light.

The part of the Earth that faces the Sun gets dimmer as it rotates away from the light and will soon be dark and experience night. The part that was facing away from the Sun starts to get lighter as it moves into the daytime and receives light.

The part of the Earth that faces the Sun gets brighter as it rotates away from the light and will soon be light and experience night. The part that was facing away from the Sun starts to get dimmer as it moves into the daytime and receives light.

Correct answer:

The part of the Earth that faces the Sun gets dimmer as it rotates away from the light and will soon be dark and experience night. The part that was facing away from the Sun starts to get lighter as it moves into the daytime and receives light.

Explanation:

The amount of sunlight changes at a location based on whether they are facing towards the Sun or away from the Sun. When facing directly towards the Sun, an area will experience daytime while the opposite side of Earth experiences night. The light starts to dim as the Earth rotates, and the location begins to experience nighttime. As the rotation takes place, the opposite of Earth becomes lighter as daytime begins.

Example Question #4 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Why do the Sun and the Moon appear to move across the sky from east to west instead of remaining in one place?

Possible Answers:

The Sun and Moon appear to move across the sky because Earth rotates on an axis.

The Sun and Moon appear to move across the sky because the Sun revolves around Earth.

The Sun and Moon appear to move across the sky because the Sun rotates on an axis.

The Sun and Moon appear to move across the sky because Earth revolves around the Sun.

Correct answer:

The Sun and Moon appear to move across the sky because Earth rotates on an axis.

Explanation:

The amount of sunlight changes at a location based on whether they are facing towards the Sun or away from the Sun. When facing directly towards the Sun, an area will experience daytime while the opposite side of Earth experiences night. The light starts to dim as the Earth rotates, and the location begins to experience nighttime. As the rotation takes place, the opposite of Earth becomes lighter as daytime begins.

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this is true, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the Sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #2 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Which of these is a direct result of Earth's rotation?

Possible Answers:

One month is 29 days long.

One day is 24 hours long.

One week is 7 days long.

One year is 12 months long.

Correct answer:

One day is 24 hours long.

Explanation:

The part of Earth facing the Sun will experience day time. The opposite side will be experiencing nighttime. The Earth's rotation on its axis determines daytime and night because of its location regarding the Sun. This rotation leads to a 24 hour day on Earth.

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this is true, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the Sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #3 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Why does Earth have day and night?

Possible Answers:

Earth revolves around the Sun.

The Moon rotates on its axis.

The Moon revolves around the Sun.

Earth rotates on its axis.

Correct answer:

Earth rotates on its axis.

Explanation:

The part of Earth facing the Sun will experience day time. The opposite side will be experiencing nighttime. The Earth's rotation on its axis determines daytime and night because of its location regarding the Sun.

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this is true, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the Sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #6 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Which of the following motions defines the length of Earth's day?

Possible Answers:

Earth's rotation on its axis

The Sun's' rotation on its axis

The Moon's revolution around Earth

Earth's revolution around the Sun

Correct answer:

Earth's rotation on its axis

Explanation:

The part of Earth facing the Sun will experience day time. The opposite side will be experiencing nighttime. The Earth's rotation on its axis determines daytime and night because of its location regarding the Sun.

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this is true, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the Sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

Example Question #4 : Reveal Patterns In Length Of Day And Night

Jimena knows that Earth rotates on its axis. How much time has passed after one rotation of Earth on its axis?

Possible Answers:

One year

One week

One day

One month

Correct answer:

One day

Explanation:

The Victoria State Education and Training department explains why this is true, "The Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun, and the moon orbits the Earth. The Earth is essentially a sphere, and the Sun is a nearby star, which is an unimaginably large ball of gas that radiates light and heat as products of nuclear reactions. The Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days and rotates about its axis once every 24 hours. Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun. The term 'one day' is determined by the time the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis and includes both day time and night time."

Source: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/continuum/Pages/daynight.aspx

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