Reading 8.2 Day and Night
Name__________________
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1. Which Earth motion causes day and night?
Rotation
2. Explain why it is night on the side of the Earth that is facing away from the Sun.
The Sun’s rays are blocked by the Earth & cannot reach the side that is facing away from
the Sun. Light from the Sun travels in a straight path and cannot curve around Earth to
reach the other side.
3. Look back at your prediction. If the prediction was correct or incorrect –explain your
thinking.
Your prediction should have been no. The sun is not moving. The earth is rotating on its axis.
It just appears that the sun is moving across the sky, due to the rotation of earth.
4. Describe, in your own words, what causes day and night to be observed on Earth.
The Earth turns (rotates) on it’s imaginary axis. When locations are facing the Sun, it is
day. As the Earth continues to rotate, those same locations are turning away from the Sun
and it becomes night –dark because the Sun’s rays do not curve around the Earth to keep all
sides lit