What causes day and night on Earth?(1 point)
Responses
the orbit of Earth around the sun
the orbit of Earth around the sun
the rotation of Earth
the rotation of Earth
the tilt of Earth on its axis
the tilt of Earth on its axis
the motion of the sun to different latitudes
the motion of the sun to different latitudes
Correct answer: the rotation of Earth
The causes of day and night on Earth are:
1. The rotation of Earth: Earth rotates on its axis, which is an imaginary line passing through its North and South poles. As Earth rotates, different parts of the planet are exposed to the Sun's light, causing day and night. During daytime, the part of Earth facing the Sun experiences daylight, while the opposite side is in darkness, creating nighttime.
2. The orbit of Earth around the Sun: Earth orbits around the Sun in an elliptical path. This orbital motion determines the changing seasons on Earth. However, it doesn't directly cause day and night.
3. The tilt of Earth on its axis: Earth is tilted on its axis at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt is consistent as Earth revolves around the Sun. As a result, different parts of Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to the changing seasons.
4. The motion of the Sun to different latitudes: Earth's tilt, combined with its orbital motion, causes the Sun to appear at different heights in the sky at different latitudes. This motion is responsible for the variation in daylight hours throughout the year, especially at higher latitudes. However, it does not directly cause day and night.
The correct answer is the rotation of Earth.
To understand why the rotation of Earth causes day and night, imagine you are standing outside on a sunny day. As Earth rotates on its axis, it turns you away from the Sun, creating darkness and causing the night. When Earth completes one full rotation, it brings you back to face the Sun, creating daylight and causing the day. This regular rotation of Earth on its axis is what creates the cycle of day and night.
The other options mentioned - the orbit of Earth around the Sun, the tilt of Earth on its axis, and the motion of the Sun to different latitudes - are also relevant factors in understanding the changing lengths of daylight throughout the year and the seasonal variations, but they are not the direct cause of day and night.