why does the sun appear to move westward across the sky during the day?
a) because earth rotates to the east
b) because earth rotates to the west
c) because the sun moves in a westerly direction
d) because of the way you are looking into the sky
The correct answer is (a) because the Earth rotates to the east. To understand why the sun appears to move westward across the sky during the day, we need to consider the rotation of the Earth.
The Earth rotates on its axis from west to east, which means the Earth spins counter-clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole. This rotation gives us the illusion that the sun is moving across the sky from east to west. In reality, the sun is stationary, and it is the Earth's rotation that causes the sun to appear to move.
Imagine yourself standing on the Earth's surface and facing east. As the Earth rotates, you will see the sun rise in the east and move across the sky throughout the day. By the time it reaches noon, the sun will be at its highest point in the sky. As the day progresses, the sun appears to move towards the west until it sets in the evening.
Therefore, the apparent westward movement of the sun during the day is a result of the Earth's rotation to the east.
the Sun appears to move across the sky because the Earth is rotating
the Sun "moves" westward, so the Earth is rotating eastward