Why the Sun appears to move across the sky | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Earth spins, or ______ on its axis once every 24 hours.
- 'rotates' ✓
Which word do scientists use to describe the skill of looking at something very closely?
- test
- measure
- observe ✓
- classify
When light shines on an object outside during the day, a shadow can form. Where does the light come from?
- A torch
- The Sun ✓
- The Moon
A person makes a shadow when they block light from the Sun because they are...
- tall
- heavy
- smooth
- opaque ✓
- transparent
Which statement about shadows is true?
- Shadows can be made indoors and outdoors. ✓
- Shadows can only be made outdoors.
- Shadows can only be made indoors.
Which unit would you use for measuring the length of a very short shadow?
- millimetres ✓
- millilitres
- minutes
- miles

Which of the following must be used to look at the Sun safely?
- magnifying glasses
- sunglasses
- solar viewing glasses ✓
Which statement is correct for why the Sun appears to move across the sky during the day?
- The Sun moves around Earth.
- The Sun rotates on its axis.
- Earth rotates on its axis. ✓
Match the time of day with where the Sun appears in the sky.
- morning or evening
  
  ⇔
  
  low in the sky ✓
- midday
  
  ⇔
  
  above us ✓
- night
  
  ⇔
  
  the Sun can not be seen ✓
From Earth, it looks like the Sun disappears every night. Which statement below is correct?
- The Sun looks like it disappears because it only gives out light during the day.
- The Sun looks like it disappears because it is covered by clouds at night.
- The Sun looks like it disappears as Earth spins away from it. ✓
- The Sun looks like it disappears as Earth spins towards it.
Which movement in space causes the shadows on Earth to change during a day?
- The Sun rotating
- Earth rotating ✓
- The Sun orbiting
- Earth orbiting
Match each time of day to the correct length of shadow.
- 11 am
  
  ⇔
  
  110 cm ✓
- 12 noon
  
  ⇔
  
  70 cm ✓
- 5 pm
  
  ⇔
  
  280 cm ✓

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It is dangerous to look directly at the Sun
From Earth, the Sun looks like it moves across the sky in the daytime
From Earth, the Sun looks like it disappears at night
The Sun does not actually move around Earth, rather it is Earth that rotates on its axis
We can observe shadows changing throughout the day because Earth is rotating

Children may believe that the Sun appears to move across the sky because the Sun moves around Earth

Provide plenty of opportunities for children to use models to see that it is Earth rotating that makes it look like the Sun is moving.