Earth's rotation and day/night · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Why day turns to night

Science · Space Systems & Earth's History · ages 9-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. About how long does it take Earth to rotate once?

    • 1 year
    • 24 hours
    • 1 week

  2. What is it called when Earth spins around on its axis?

    • Rotating
    • Orbiting
    • Tilting

  3. The side of Earth facing the Sun has daytime.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Why does the Sun appear to rise and set?

    • Earth spins
    • The Sun circles Earth daily
    • The Sun stops shining

  5. It's nighttime in your city. What does that tell you about where your city is facing?

    • Toward the Sun
    • Toward the Moon
    • Away from the Sun

  6. A town has a sunrise each day. About how many hours pass from one sunrise to the next?

    Answer: ______________

  7. An astronaut watching Earth from space sees your city moving from the dark side into the sunlit side. What is about to happen in your city?

    • Midnight
    • Sunset
    • Sunrise

  8. Nina thinks the Sun must circle Earth each day because it crosses our sky. Which motion explains what she sees?

    • The Sun's rotation
    • Earth's rotation
    • Earth's yearly orbit
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Why day turns to night W1-mt_q15w--Fb5H-s1

  1. 24 hours · One full spin takes about 24 hours, which is one day.
  2. Rotating · Rotation is spinning on an axis. Earth's orbit is its path around the Sun.
  3. True · Sunlight reaches the side facing the Sun, so that side has daytime.
  4. Earth spins · Earth's rotation changes which places face the Sun, producing sunrise and sunset.
  5. Away from the Sun · Night is on the side of Earth facing away from the Sun.
  6. 24 · Successive daily sunrises are about one day apart, or 24 hours.
  7. Sunrise · Sunrise is the transition from the night side into sunlight.
  8. Earth's rotation · Earth's daily rotation changes our view of the Sun. The Sun also moves through space.
Worksheet · LightMySky