Why we have day and night | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

This object in space is called the ______.
- 'The Sun' ✓
Which object would not be good to make a model of the Sun?
- a beach ball
- a bowling ball
- a doughnut ✓
Without the Sun, there would be no life on Earth. The Sun gives us warmth and ______.
- 'light' ✓
Starting with the Sun, put these objects in order of size.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  The Sun
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  Earth
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  The Moon
How many hours are there in one day?
- 12 hours
- 24 hours ✓
- 365 hours
Where would you find the North Pole and South Pole of Earth?
- At the start and finish of Earth
- At the sides of Earth
- At the top and bottom of Earth ✓
- All the way around Earth

What is the imaginary line through the centre of Earth called?
- equator
- horizon
- axis ✓
How does Earth move to cause day and night?
- Earth spins, or rotates, on its axis. ✓
- Earth bounces up and down on its axis.
- Earth swings forwards and backwards on its axis.
It is day time when your part of Earth is facing the ______.
- 'Sun' ✓
Which statement correctly explains why we have night time on Earth?
- At night time, our part of Earth is facing away from the Sun. ✓
- At night time, our part of Earth is facing the Moon.
- At night time, the Sun goes behind the clouds.
How long does it takes for Earth to rotate once on its axis?
- 24 minutes
- 24 hours ✓
- 24 days
- 24 weeks
Which object could you use for the Sun's light in a model to show why we have day and night?
- a mirror
- a torch ✓
- a yellow plate

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The axis is an imaginary straight line which goes through the centre of the Earth from the North to the South Pole
Day and night are due to the Earth rotating on its axis
It is daytime when the Earth is facing the Sun and night time when the Earth is facing away from the Sun
The Earth takes 24 hours to rotate on its axis
Models can be used to demonstrate how the Earth's rotation causes day and night

Pupils may think that we have night when the Earth is facing the Moon or the Sun goes behind clouds.

Provide plenty of opportunities for pupils to use models to show the Earth rotating on its axis, next to a bright torch or lamp for the Sun.

Earth - The Earth is a planet on which we live
Sun - The Sun is a star and the centre of our solar system
Rotate - To rotate is to turn or spin
Axis - The Earth’s axis is the imaginary line through its centre, from North pole to South pole
Model - A model is used to describe something that can’t be experienced directly