Earth’s RotationEarth’s Rotation

Abby BakerAbby Baker

9/16/20099/16/2009

Standard 3 Standard 3

Indicator 4.3.8 – Explain that the Indicator 4.3.8 – Explain that the rotation of the Earth on its axis every rotation of the Earth on its axis every 24-hours produces the night-and-day 24-hours produces the night-and-day cycle.cycle.

Taken from: Taken from: http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/Acadehttp://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspxmicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

Link to activity: Link to activity: http://www.indianastandardsresourcehttp://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_4_3_8.pdfs.org/files/sci/sci_4_3_8.pdf

DefinitionsDefinitions

Rotation – the movement or path of Rotation – the movement or path of the earth or a heavenly body turning the earth or a heavenly body turning on its axison its axis

Tilt – to cause to lean, incline, slope, Tilt – to cause to lean, incline, slope, or slantor slant

Taken from : www.dictionary.comTaken from : www.dictionary.com

Pre-ActivityPre-Activity

Show the students a pencil, and tell them Show the students a pencil, and tell them that it will represent the Earth’s axis. Wrap that it will represent the Earth’s axis. Wrap foil around the pencil in a ball and explain foil around the pencil in a ball and explain that the foil will represent Earth. that the foil will represent Earth.

Select a student(s) to tilt and rotate the Select a student(s) to tilt and rotate the pencil, demonstrating how the Earth moves.pencil, demonstrating how the Earth moves.

Tell the students they will be modeling the Tell the students they will be modeling the process of day and night. Ask these process of day and night. Ask these questions:questions:• How long is a full day?How long is a full day?• What causes the night-and-day cycle? What causes the night-and-day cycle?

Class ActivityClass Activity Show the students the globe and tell them it Show the students the globe and tell them it

represents the earth. Help them identify represents the earth. Help them identify the axis. (You can use a flashlight to the axis. (You can use a flashlight to represent the sun’s rays.)represent the sun’s rays.)

Identify our continent, country, city, and Identify our continent, country, city, and state on the globe.state on the globe.

Turn the lights off and shine the flashlight Turn the lights off and shine the flashlight on the piece of paper on the globe.on the piece of paper on the globe.

Ask students: “Is there light shining on out Ask students: “Is there light shining on out city/state right now?”city/state right now?”• ““What do you think will happen as I rotate the What do you think will happen as I rotate the

globe on it’s axis?” (slowly rotate the globe globe on it’s axis?” (slowly rotate the globe while holding the flashlight in the same spot)while holding the flashlight in the same spot)

Activity ContinuedActivity Continued

Stop the globe when it is rotated Stop the globe when it is rotated halfway. Ask the students:halfway. Ask the students:• ““Now is there light shining on our Now is there light shining on our

city/state?”city/state?”• Is the other side of the globe in the light Is the other side of the globe in the light

or the dark?”or the dark?”

Discuss with the students that it takes 12 Discuss with the students that it takes 12 hours for the Earth to rotate halfway and hours for the Earth to rotate halfway and it takes 24 hours for a full rotation.it takes 24 hours for a full rotation.

Follow-Up QuestionsFollow-Up Questions

How many hours are there in one How many hours are there in one day?day?

If it is day/night in our city/state, is it If it is day/night in our city/state, is it daytime or nighttime in Australia? daytime or nighttime in Australia? (have the students show how they (have the students show how they know that with the globe)know that with the globe)

How long does it take Earth to rotate How long does it take Earth to rotate on its axis? (How long does it take on its axis? (How long does it take Earth to rotate halfway?)Earth to rotate halfway?)

ReferencesReferences

http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspxStandardSearch.aspx

http://http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_4_3_8.pdffiles/sci/sci_4_3_8.pdf

www.dictionary.comwww.dictionary.com http://images.google.comhttp://images.google.com