Track quiz
Here are the rules this track used. Read them, then try the questions.
| Idea | The rule |
|---|---|
| Two motions | Earth turns once a day. It goes round the Sun once a year. |
| One face | The Moon turns once in each trip round Earth. So one face always points at us. |
| Three in a line | A body in the way makes a shadow. If it lands on another body, that is an eclipse. |
| Solar eclipse | In a solar eclipse the Moon is between the Sun and Earth. Its shadow lands on a small part of Earth. |
| Lunar eclipse | In a lunar eclipse Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. Earth shades the Moon. |
| Not every month | The Moon's path is tilted about 5°. At most New Moons, its shadow misses Earth. |
| Watching safely | Never look straight at the Sun, even in an eclipse. A lunar eclipse is safe to watch. |
| Sun across the sky | Earth turns from west to east. The Sun seems to rise in the east. It seems to set in the west. |
| Day and night places | Half of Earth faces the Sun, so it is day there. Places in the east see sunrise first. |
| Pole Star | The Pole Star sits almost over Earth's north pole. So it hardly moves. Other stars circle it. |
| Night sky in a year | A star rises about 4 minutes earlier each night. After one year it is back at about its first time. |
| Seasons | Earth's axis leans. In June the north leans toward the Sun. So its sunlight is stronger. |
| Longest day | In the north, the longest day is near 21 June. The shortest is near 22 December. |
Which motion of Earth causes day and night?
About how long does Earth take to go once round the Sun?
We see the same face of the Moon every night. Why?
When does a solar eclipse happen?
When does a lunar eclipse happen?
The Moon is much smaller than the Sun. How can it hide the Sun in an eclipse?
Why is there no eclipse every month?
Which is a safe way to watch a solar eclipse?
Why does the Sun seem to rise in the east?
Two places are far apart. One is in the east. Which sees sunrise first?
Why does the Pole Star seem to stand still?
A star rises at 11 pm tonight. When will it rise tomorrow?
What gives us the seasons?
In the north, near which date is the longest day?
Now open Chapter 12 in your NCERT book. Its eclipse pictures will look familiar.
The next track is The World of Metals and Non-metals. It is a chapter about materials, not the sky.