Astronomy: Day and Night: Why Does the Sky Change? Worksheet

Question 1

What bright object do we usually see in the sky during the day?

Accepted Answer

We usually see the Sun in the sky during the day. The Sun gives Earth light and warmth.

Question 2

What does Earth do that causes day and night?

Accepted Answer

Earth spins, or rotates, on its axis. The side facing the Sun has day, and the side turned away from the Sun has night.

Question 3

Look at the diagram. Which side of Earth is having daytime, the side facing the Sun or the side away from the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The side of Earth facing the Sun is having daytime because it is receiving sunlight.

Question 4

Why does the sky look dark at night?

Accepted Answer

The sky looks dark at night because our part of Earth is turned away from the Sun. We are not getting the Sun's bright light then.

Question 5

Draw or describe what the sky might look like at noon on a sunny day.

Accepted Answer

At noon on a sunny day, the sky may look bright blue, and the Sun may appear high in the sky.

Question 6

Draw or describe what the sky might look like at night.

Accepted Answer

At night, the sky may look dark, and we may see the Moon, stars, or planets if the sky is clear.

Question 7

A student says, "The Sun goes away at night." Is this correct? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

This is not correct. The Sun is still in space, but our part of Earth has turned away from the Sun, so we have night.

Question 8

Complete the sentence: Daytime happens when our part of Earth is facing the ________.

Accepted Answer

Daytime happens when our part of Earth is facing the Sun.

Question 9

Complete the sentence: Nighttime happens when our part of Earth is turned ________ from the Sun.

Accepted Answer

Nighttime happens when our part of Earth is turned away from the Sun.

Question 10

If it is daytime where you live, what is happening on the opposite side of Earth?

Accepted Answer

On the opposite side of Earth, it is nighttime because that side is turned away from the Sun.

Question 11

Put these events in order: sunrise, night, sunset, day.

Accepted Answer

One correct order is sunrise, day, sunset, night. This pattern repeats as Earth keeps rotating.

Question 12

Why can we sometimes see stars at night but not during the day?

Accepted Answer

We can see stars at night because the sky is dark. During the day, sunlight makes the sky too bright for most stars to be seen.

Question 13

A flashlight shines on a ball. One side of the ball is bright and the other side is dark. How is this like day and night on Earth?

Accepted Answer

This is like Earth because the side facing the light has daytime, and the side away from the light has nighttime.

Question 14

Does Earth stop moving at night? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

Earth does not stop moving at night. Earth keeps rotating all the time, which is why day changes to night and night changes to day.

Question 15

Write one sentence explaining why the sky changes from day to night.

Accepted Answer

The sky changes from day to night because Earth rotates, and our part of Earth turns away from the Sun.

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