Earth & space

The solar system, Earth's rotation, Moon phases, and orbits

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Put the planets of our solar system in order from closest to the Sun to furthest. Put these in order: Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
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2
What causes day and night on Earth? A) The Earth rotates on its axis B) The Sun moves around the Earth C) The Moon blocks the Sun at night D) The Earth moves closer and further from the Sun
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3
True or false? The Sun is a star. A) True B) False
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4
How long does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun? A) About 365 days (one year) B) About 24 hours (one day) C) About 28 days (one month) D) About 12 hours
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5
Put the Moon phases in order, starting from New Moon. Put these in order: Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter, Last Quarter
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6
True or false? The Earth is closer to the Sun in summer, which is why it is hotter. A) True B) False
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7
Why do we see the Sun appear to move across the sky during the day? A) Because the Earth is rotating B) Because the Sun orbits the Earth C) Because the Moon pushes the Sun D) Because the Earth is getting closer to the Sun
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8
It is midday in London. What time is it likely to be in a city directly on the opposite side of Earth? A) Midnight B) 6am C) 6pm D) Midday
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9
True or false? Earth orbits the Moon. A) True B) False
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10
Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky during the day? A) Earth is spinning, making the Sun appear to move B) The Sun really moves around Earth C) The Sun bounces between clouds D) We move our eyes
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Answer key

Earth & space · for parents and teachers

1
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
The order from the Sun is: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. The first four are rocky planets; the outer four are gas/ice giants.
2
The Earth rotates on its axis
Earth rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours. The side facing the Sun has daytime; the side facing away has night-time.
3
True
The Sun is a star - a massive ball of hot gas that produces light and heat through nuclear fusion. It is the closest star to Earth.
4
About 365 days (one year)
Earth takes approximately 365.25 days to complete one orbit of the Sun. This is why we have a year, and why we add a leap day every four years.
5
New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter
The lunar cycle goes: New Moon (invisible) - First Quarter (right half lit) - Full Moon (all lit) - Last Quarter (left half lit) - then back to New Moon.
6
False
Seasons are caused by Earth's tilted axis, not distance from the Sun. When the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, it gets more direct sunlight (summer).
7
Because the Earth is rotating
The Sun appears to move across the sky because we are on a rotating Earth. As Earth spins, different parts face the Sun, making it look like the Sun moves from east to west.
8
Midnight
The opposite side of Earth faces away from the Sun when London faces toward it. Since it takes 24 hours for a full rotation, the opposite side is 12 hours different - so it would be midnight.
9
False
False. The Moon orbits Earth, and Earth orbits the Sun.
10
Earth is spinning, making the Sun appear to move
Earth's rotation makes the Sun appear to move across the sky from east to west.