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Earth and Space
Science | Earth and Space | Night Follows Day | Lesson 3
Success Criteria
Aim
Key Questions
You will spot questions in a green box at certain points in this Lesson Presentation.
The assessment questions that appear will enable�you to check your understanding against the lesson aim and success criteria.
Use the word bank below to complete the paragraphs about our�understanding of the Solar System.
Remember It
Many ancient civilisations, including the ancient Greeks, thought that Earth�was at the centre of the . This is known as the model�of the Solar System.
However, in the early 1600s, Galileo Galilei used a to make�pioneering observations that changed how we viewed the Solar System. We now know that is at the centre of the Solar System, with Earth and the other seven orbiting round it: the model.
the Sun planets geocentric� heliocentric
Solar System telescope
Word Bank
Solar System
geocentric
telescope
the Sun
heliocentric
planets
Key Vocabulary
A celestial body is a natural object outside Earth’s atmosphere, such as the planets, the Sun and the Moon.
celestial body
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only planet known to support life.
Earth
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits a planet. Earth’s moon is called the Moon.
moon
An orbit is a regular, repeating curved path that an object follows round another object.
orbit
A planet is a large, spherical celestial body that orbits a star.
planet
The Solar System is the collection of eight planets, their moons and other celestial bodies that orbit the Sun.
Solar System
‘Space’ is the term given to the area of the universe outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
space
A star is a giant, glowing ball of hot, burning gas (mainly helium and hydrogen) held together by gravity.
star
The Sun is the name of the huge star at the centre of our Solar System that provides light and heat to the planets that orbit it.
Sun
celestial body
Earth
day
moon
orbit
planet
light
Solar System
space
star
Sun
axis
night
rotation
shadow
day, Earth, light, moon, night, planet, shadow, space, star, Sun
rotation
axis, celestial body, orbit, Solar System
Tier 1
everyday words
Tier 2
words that are important in different science topics
Tier 3
words that are specific to this science topic
Key Vocabulary
Round and Round
I think Earth orbits round the Sun.
I don’t think Earth moves at all. It doesn’t feel like we’re moving.
Jack, Fizzer and Olivia are discussing how they think Earth moves.
Who do you agree with and why?
I think Earth spins round once every day.
Jack
Fizzer
Olivia
Remember It
Jack and Olivia are both correct. Earth orbits round the Sun once every�year and spins (or rotates) on its own axis once every 24 hours.
Although Fizzer is correct that we do not feel Earth’s movement, Earth�is currently orbiting the Sun at over 100,000km per hour and rotating�on its axis at about 1600km per hour.
Let’s find out more about the movement of Earth in The Sky’s Not the Limit eBook.
Round and Round
Day Turns to Night
Day and night are caused by the rotation of Earth on its axis, which causes�different sides of Earth to face towards the Sun at different times.
The side of Earth facing the Sun will experience daytime and, at the same time,�the other side of Earth not facing the sun will experience nighttime.
Day Turns to Night
As a class or in groups, can you�demonstrate how the rotation of Earth�causes day and night?
You could use a torch and a model�of Earth or even act as celestial bodies�in a drama presentation.
Can you explain how Earth rotating on its axis causes night and day?
Sunrise and sunset will happen at different times depending�on the time of year and where you are on Earth.
Because of this, humans have agreed to divide the globe into time zones,�separated by imaginary vertical lines, called meridians.
Let’s learn more about�time zones and how we track�the passing of time in�The Sky’s Not the Limit eBook.
All Over the World
Can you find out what time it is at the moment in different places around the world?
Rise in the East, Set in the West
Over the course of a day, the Sun�will appear to rise in the east, slowly�move across the sky and then set in the west, marking the beginning of night.
What do you notice about the Sun over the course of the day? Does it move?
However, the Sun does not really move�across the sky in this way.
It only seems this way because�of Earth’s rotation.
Rise in the East, Set in the West
Can you explain how the apparent movement�of the Sun in the sky is caused by Earth’s rotation?
Earth turns on its axis towards the east.
As Earth turns to face towards the Sun,�the Sun will first appear just above�the horizon to the east.
Earth continues to turn towards the east and the Sun appears to move upwards and overhead. It is at its highest position in the sky at midday.
Earth still turns to the east, now turning to face away from the Sun, which appears to move downwards until it sets below the horizon to the west.
Sunlight and Shadows
How does the length of shadows change over the course of a day?
Today, we are going to investigate the following enquiry question.
What could we do to find the answer to this question?
We could go outside and measure how�the length of the shadow cast by an object changes throughout the day.
Sunlight and Shadows
If we place a pencil or ruler upright in a sunny place, it will be clear to see how the length of the shadow it casts changes throughout the day.
We can trace the shadow on the playground�or on a large piece of paper using chalk,�which will make it easier to measure�the length of the shadows.
How does the length of shadows change over the course of a day?
Sunlight and Shadows
What equipment could we use to carry�out this investigation?
clock
pencil
ruler
plastic container
tape measure
chalk
sticky tack
How does the length of shadows change over the course of a day?
How does the length of shadows change over the course of a day?
We could draw a table to record our�results in, such as this one.
How could we record our results?
Sunlight and Shadows
How does the length of shadows change over the course of a day?
Sunlight and Shadows
I predict the length�of shadows will become longer as the day goes on.
What do you predict your results will show?
I predict the length�of shadows will be short�at first then become�longer again.
Sunlight and Shadows
Remember that it is dangerous to look directly at the Sun, even when wearing dark glasses.
Can you describe how the length of shadows changes over the course of a day?
How does the length of shadows change over the course of a day?
Use the Shadows Investigation Activity Sheets to describe your investigation,�make your predictions and set up your results table.
Paperless
To explain how Earth’s rotation causes day and night.
Write up your investigation by answering the questions below.�You may wish to use the word bank to help you.
How does the length of shadows change over the course of a day?
1. What are you going to do to find an answer to this enquiry question?�Describe the equipment you will need and the method you will follow.
Word Bank
the sun position shadows length measure
pencil ruler cast sticky tack container upright
chalk outline tape measure metre stick centimetres
results table compare
2. What do you predict will happen in your investigation?
I predict that, over the course of the day, the length of shadows will…
3. Draw a results table to use when you carry out your investigation.
Astronomical Wonder
There is still some mystery surrounding Stonehenge. How was it built and,�more importantly, why was it built?
What do you think this prehistoric monument was used for?
Can you find out more by researching further?
STEM/Green Careers
Astrophysicist
Astrophysicists are scientists who are experts in�the physics of space, which relates to how objects or events in space behave, how they move and what they are made of. They work to help us better understand how the universe works.
Astrophysicists develop new theories, models and ways of understanding phenomena�in space. This may include how they are formed, how they change over time and what forces explain how they behave.
From the birth or death of stars and the evolution of distant galaxies to the unknown depths of black holes, astrophysicists seek answers to the greatest mysteries of the universe.
Success Criteria
Aim