Rotation and Revolution - Practice Test 1

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The spinning of the Earth on its own axis is called:

   • A.Revolution
   • B.Rotation✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Orbiting
   • D.Circulation

   Explanation: Rotation is the movement of the Earth on its axis.

2. Q2.The movement of the Earth around the Sun is known as:

   • A.Rotation
   • B.Revolution✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Spinning
   • D.Precession

   Explanation: Revolution is the movement of the Earth around the Sun in a fixed path or orbit.

3. Q3.Day and Night are caused by which motion of the Earth?

   • A.Revolution
   • B.Rotation✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Axial Tilt
   • D.Gravitation

   Explanation: As Earth rotates, the side facing the Sun experiences day, and the side away experiences night.

4. Q4.Seasons are caused primarily by:

   • A.Rotation of Earth
   • B.Revolution of Earth and Axial Tilt✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Distance from Sun
   • D.Shape of Earth

   Explanation: The revolution of the Earth combined with the tilt of its axis causes the seasons.

5. Q5.The Earth rotates from:

   • A.East to West
   • B.West to East✓ Correct Answer
   • C.North to South
   • D.South to North

   Explanation: The Earth rotates from West to East, which is why the Sun appears to rise in the East.

6. Q6.How much time does Earth take to complete one rotation?

   • A.24 hours exactly
   • B.23 hours 56 minutes 4 seconds✓ Correct Answer
   • C.24 hours 30 minutes
   • D.23 hours 50 minutes

   Explanation: This period (23h 56m 4s) is known as a Sidereal Day.

7. Q7.How long does Earth take to complete one revolution around the Sun?

   • A.365 days
   • B.366 days
   • C.365 days and 6 hours✓ Correct Answer
   • D.365 days and 12 hours

   Explanation: It takes approx 365.25 days (365 days and 6 hours) to orbit the Sun.

8. Q8.The axis of the Earth is tilted at an angle of ___ with its orbital plane.

   • A.23½°
   • B.66½°✓ Correct Answer
   • C.90°
   • D.0°

   Explanation: The axis makes an angle of 66½° with the orbital plane (and is tilted 23½° from the vertical).

9. Q9.The imaginary line that separates day from night on Earth is called:

   • A.Equator
   • B.Prime Meridian
   • C.Circle of Illumination✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Axis

   Explanation: The Circle of Illumination is the division between the lit (day) and dark (night) halves of Earth.

10. Q10.A Leap Year occurs every:

    • A.2 years
    • B.3 years
    • C.4 years✓ Correct Answer
    • D.5 years

    Explanation: To account for the extra 6 hours in Earth's revolution, one day is added every 4 years.

11. Q11.The extra day in a Leap Year is added to which month?

    • A.January
    • B.February✓ Correct Answer
    • C.March
    • D.December

    Explanation: February has 29 days in a leap year instead of the usual 28.

12. Q12.When does the Summer Solstice occur in the Northern Hemisphere?

    • A.December 22
    • B.March 21
    • C.June 21✓ Correct Answer
    • D.September 23

    Explanation: On June 21, the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, marking the longest day in the North.

13. Q13.On Summer Solstice (June 21), the sun rays fall vertically on:

    • A.Tropic of Capricorn
    • B.Equator
    • C.Tropic of Cancer✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Arctic Circle

    Explanation: The Sun is vertical over the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) on June 21.

14. Q14.When does the Winter Solstice occur in the Northern Hemisphere?

    • A.June 21
    • B.December 22✓ Correct Answer
    • C.March 21
    • D.September 23

    Explanation: On December 22, the Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn, causing winter in the North.

15. Q15.During Winter Solstice, the longest night is experienced in:

    • A.Southern Hemisphere
    • B.Northern Hemisphere✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Equator
    • D.Antarctica

    Explanation: The Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and longest night on Dec 22.

16. Q16.Equinox means:

    • A.Longest day
    • B.Shortest day
    • C.Equal day and night✓ Correct Answer
    • D.No sun

    Explanation: Equinox implies equal duration of day and night throughout the world.

17. Q17.On which dates do Equinoxes occur?

    • A.June 21 and Dec 22
    • B.March 21 and Sept 23✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jan 3 and July 4
    • D.April 1 and Oct 1

    Explanation: Direct rays of the sun fall on the equator on March 21 (Spring Equinox) and September 23 (Autumn Equinox).

18. Q18.During an Equinox, the Sun is vertically overhead at:

    • A.Tropic of Cancer
    • B.Tropic of Capricorn
    • C.Equator✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Poles

    Explanation: On Equinoxes, the Sun's rays fall directly on the Equator.

19. Q19.The path of Earth's revolution around the Sun is:

    • A.Circular
    • B.Elliptical✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Rectangular
    • D.Triangular

    Explanation: The Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical (oval-shaped) orbit.

20. Q20.When the Earth is closest to the Sun, the position is called:

    • A.Aphelion
    • B.Perihelion✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Solstice
    • D.Zenith

    Explanation: Perihelion is the point of nearest approach to the Sun.