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Teaching Point: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Do now Discussion: How does direct observation and experience support that we are not rotating right now?

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Earth is tilted 23.5° and rotates (i.e. spins) on an imaginary axis once in 24 hours

spins west to east (counterclockwise) at 15°/hour

Details About Earth’s Rotation

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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North axis points towards to Polaris (the north star)

Earth’s Axis and Polaris

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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Proof of Earth’s Rotation

1. The Foucault Pendulum appears to change its swing direction over the course of a day when, in reality, the Earth is rotates underneath it

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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The Pendulum in Paris, France

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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The Pendulum Appears to Move

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Notice how it is the Earth underneath, and not the pendulum itself, that causes the swing’s change.

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The Pendulum Appears to Move

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Task- Question: How does angle between the original and new line of swing connect with the Earth’s rotation?

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Foucault Pendulum in Action

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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The Proof Earth Rotates

2. The Coriolis Effect is the bending or curving of wind due to Earth’s rotation

wind bends right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern hemisphere

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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Explaining Earth’s Rotation

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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The Proof Earth Rotates

3. Star Trails are the apparent motion of stars in the sky around Polaris

degrees of star motion divided by 15°/hr = how much time has passed

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

All the stars here trailed for 60° (90° – 30°) divided by 15°/hr = 4 hours of time

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The Proof Earth Rotates

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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Mid-Lesson Assessments

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Try your best not to use the notes to answer the questions. Have your notes available incase you need to refer to it.

When you see the answer you think is correct keep your answer to yourself.

Wait until the entire class is done, and do not change your answer based on others!

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The Earth rotates (i.e. spins) at a rate of

a. 15°/ hour

b. 1° / day

c. 23.5°

d. None of the above

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Lesson Assessment Question

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The Earth rotates counterclockwise, or from _______________ as viewed from the North Pole.

a. East to West

b. North to South

c. South to North

d. West to East

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Lesson Assessment Question

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A Foucault pendulum appears to change its direction of swing because Earth

a. is tilted on its axis

b. is rotating on its axis

c. has a curved surface

d. has a density of 5.5 g/cm³

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Regents Assessment Question

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Regents Assessment Question

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

Earth’s planetary winds bend to the right in the Northern Hemisphere due to the

a. coriolis effect

b. doppler effect

c. tilts of Earth’s axis

d. earth’s gravity

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Instructions: Using the information we just learned about the Earth’s rotation…

Task A- recreate a rotating Earth and include as many details about 1) its counterclockwise rotation, and 2) its rotation rate

Task B- make a table that organizes all of the information we learned about Earth’s rotation

Task C- what would the path of a Foucault pendulum look like over the course of 2 hours look like from a bird’s-eye view? Describe of create an illustration. Be sure to include angles

Flexible Group- take out your portfolios and meet with me in the back of the room.

Class Activity- Earth’s Rotation

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”

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Let’s Review in Groups

In your group, go back into your notes and make a list of the three (3) most important concepts we learned today. Place those the three in order from the most important concept to least important.

TP: “To describe the evidence and effects of Earth’s rotation.”