Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

ACTIVITY SHEET IN SCIENCE 6

QUARTER 4, WEEKS 4 - 5

THE EFFECTS OF THE EARTH’S MOTIONS

MELC: Differentiate between rotation and revolution and describe the effects of the
Earth’s motions

Objectives:
1. Differentiate between rotation and revolution and describe the effects of
the Earth’s motions.
2. Identify the causes of the four seasons in some parts of the Earth.

Prepared by:

MARK ANTHONY D. DICULEN

Master Teacher I
Motions of the Earth
The Earth’s axis (tilted at 23.5°) is one of the occurrences of seasons. The
axis is not perpendicular to the plane of the Earth’s orbit. If the Earth’s axis was
perpendicular to the plane, all parts of the Earth would have equal daylight and night-
time of approximately 12 hours each, every day of the year. Since the axis is tilted,
the hemisphere that turns toward the Sun has longer daylight than night-time. The
hemisphere that turns away from the sun has shorter daylight periods than nights.

The Earth’s movement is called rotation and revolution. We can use the
globe, a model of the Earth to further explain the rotation and revolution.

The Earth’s orbit around the sun

Rotation: Daily Motion

Rotation is the movement of object on its axis. Earth rotates from west to east.
It is clockwise seen above North Pole and counter clockwise seen above South Pole.
The period of one complete rotation is defined as a day and takes 24 hours. Earth’s
rotation is inclined or tilted 23.5 degrees relative to its plane of revolution around the
sun.
Results from Earth’s Rotation
 Earth’s rotation may result to the occurrence of day and night. Places
facing the sun experience daytime while those facing away from the
sun experience night-time. The length of daytime and night-time varies
as Earth revolves around the sun.
 The daily raising and setting of the sun, stars, and the moon are
pattern of motion visible in the sky. The sun rises in the east and sets
in the west, as the moon, planets, and the stars. These daily motions
are the result from Earth’s rotation.
 Earth’s rotation affects the flow of air and water on Earth. Flowing air
and water are diverted from north-south direction to an east-west
direction because of Earth’s rotation. The diversion of directions is
called the Coriolis Effect.

Earth has tilted axis position in the same direction as it orbits around the sun.

Revolution: Annual Motion

Revolution is the movement of an object around the bigger object. Earth
revolves around the sun. Its orbit around the sun is in the form of a slightly flattened
circle called an ellipse. The sun is not at the center of the orbit, but it is lightly off to
one side. This explains why Earth’s distance from the sun varies. It is closest to the
sun at 147 million kilometres when it is in its orbit’s perihelion. It is farthest from the
sun at 152 million kilometres when it is in its orbit’s aphelion.

Earth revolves around the sun as it rotates, or spins, on its axis. The period of
one revolution around the sun is defined as a year. One complete revolution of Earth
is 365 days. Earth’s axis is tilted. As it orbits the sun, Earth’s axis remains fixed in
space so that at one point, the northern hemisphere of Earth is tilted.

Results from Earth’s Revolution

 Occurrence of seasonal changes – The seasons change through the
year; the length of days varies; and the temperature may range from
cold to hot depending on the latitude where you live. The annual
changes are the result of Earth’s orbital motion about the sun is called
a revolution. Our seasons are created by this orbital tilt and by Earth’s
orbital motion around the sun.

Changes occur in plants in different times of the year.

Seasons of the Earth

Earth is spherical in shape and it is slightly tilted at 23.5°. While it is rotating
and revolving around the sun, the rays of the sun strikes in a vertical and slanting
manner in different regions of Earth. The parts of the Earth directly facing the sun
receive vertical rays. The parts of Earth that curve away from the sun receive
slanting rays. As a result, different seasons and hours of daylight occur. Seasons
occur in places at 30° latitude and above.

Seasons are short periods of climatic changes caused by the changes in the
amount of solar radiation an area receives. Because Earth is tilted, different areas of
Earth receive different amounts of solar radiation throughout the year. Near the
equator, solar radiation is constant. The tropics do not have much seasonal
temperature change. However, they do experience dry and wet seasons. The middle
latitude or temperate zone has warm summers and cool winters. Spring and fall are
usually mild.

During June, July, and August, the northern hemisphere is facing the sun
while the southern hemisphere is away from the sun. The northern hemisphere
experiences summer while the southern hemisphere experiences winter. The
northern hemisphere is exposed to a more direct sunlight; thus, they experience
summer. Examples of these countries are Canada, Europe, and United States.

In June, the vertical rays of the sun reach the innermost limit at 23.5° north or
in the Tropic of Cancer. The sun is overhead in this part of the world at noontime.
When the North Pole tilts directly toward the sun, this is called the summer solstice.
The summer solstice comes about June 22. Areas beyond 66.5° north (Arctic Circle)
experience 24 hours of daytime. June, July, and August are the hottest months in the
northern hemisphere. December, January, and February are the hottest months in
the southern hemisphere.

As Earth moves, summer turn to autumn or fall. During September, October,

and November, the axis of the northern and that of the southern hemispheres move
sideways. In this period, both hemispheres receive not too much or too little energy
from the sun. When the sun is directly overhead in the equator, this is called fall or
autumnal equinox. The autumnal equinox happens on September 23 when night-
time and daytime are equal.

During December, January, and February, the North Pole is facing away from
the sun. the northern hemisphere receives the least amount of energy from the sun
while the southern hemisphere receives the greatest amount of energy from the sun.
during this period, the temperature in the Tropic of Cancer in the northern
hemisphere is very low while in the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere
is high. Places in the North Pole will experience winter, while places in the South
Pole will experience summer. During winter, days are short and nights are long.
Winter arrives with the winter solstice on December 22.
 From March, April, to May, Earth’s axis is not pointed to the sun. Both
hemispheres receive an equal amount of solar energy. This season is called spring.
Spring in the temperate countries starts on March 21. In the northern hemisphere,
the vernal or spring equinox comes on March 21. It is the signal of the start of a
new season. At this time, places in the northern hemisphere experience equal
daytime and night-time.

The four seasons do not occur in the Philippines because it is located near
the equator or below 30 degrees latitude.

Fall equinox

Summer in north pole

Winter in north pole

Summer solstice for northern hemisphere

Winter solstice for northern hemisphere

Winter in south pole

Summer in south pole
Spring equinox

Different parts of the Earth are lighted as it revolves around the sun.
Name: _______________________________ Date: ____________
Grade/Section: ________________________ Score: _________

Activity 1: Identify the words being referred to. Choose your

answer from the box.

aphelion rotation perihelion revolution

axis Earth summer solstice

winter spring autumnal equinox seasons

1. It is the movement of object on its axis.

2. It is the movement of an object around the bigger object.
3. It revolves around the sun once a year.
4. Earth’s orbit closest to the sun.
5. Earth’s orbit farthest to the sun.
6. Are short periods of climatic changes caused by the changes in the
amount of solar radiation an area receives.
7. It is when the North Pole tilts directly toward the sun.
8. It arrives with the winter solstice on December 22.
9. It happens on September 23 when night-time and daytime are equal.
10. It is the signal of the start of a new season.
 Activity 2: Read the questions carefully. Choose the letter of the
correct answer.

1. What is the season in the southern hemisphere when the North Pole
is tilted away from the sun?
A. autumn B. spring C. summer D. winter

2. Which countries experience four seasons?

A. countries near the equator
B. countries near the tropics
C. countries located at 0° C to 29° C latitude
D. countries located at or above 30° C latitude

3. What causes day and night?

A. revolution of the moon C. rotation of Earth on its axis

B. revolution of Earth around the sun D. tilting of Earth’s axis

4. Why do other countries in the temperate zone experience four seasons?

A. because of the hemispheres

B. because of the Earth’s rotation
C. because of the Earth’s revolution
D. because of the Earth’s axis tilted at 23.5°

5. The Earth rotates on its axis in a ___________ direction.

A. west to east C. east to west

B. north to south D. south to north

6. From March to May, Earth’s axis is not pointed to the sun. Both hemispheres
receive an equal amount of solar energy. This season is called _______?

A. autumn B. spring C. summer D. winter

7. The four seasons do not occur in the Philippines, why?

A. because it is located near the equator or below 30° latitude

B. because it is located near the equator or below 40° latitude
C. because it is located near the equator or below 50° latitude
D. because it is located near the equator or below 60° latitude

8. When the sun is directly overhead in the equator, this is called________?

A. autumnal equinox C. summer solstice

B. spring equinox D. winter solstice
9. In the hemisphere, the _________ comes on March 21.

A. autumnal equinox C. summer solstice

B. spring equinox D. winter solstice
10. The period of one complete rotation takes ______.
A. 24 hours C. 25 hours
B. 26 hours D. 27 hours

Activity 3: Read and answer the following questions. You will be

graded by the given rubric.

General Scoring Rubric

3 points It is fully developed and clearly communicated. There are
no errors.
2 points The explanation may be incomplete.
1 point The work is completely incorrect or irrelevant.
1. Why does Earth have nights and days?
________________________________________________________.
2. Every December, the United States and Canada experience winter while
Antarctica experiences summer. Why is this so?
________________________________________________________.
3. If given the chance to visit other countries or places, where would you
go? Why?
________________________________________________________.
 Activity 4: Study the picture below. In a very creative manner, make a
model or output showing the reason for seasons using recyclable
materials. You will be graded by the given rubric below.

1 2 3 4
Creativity The pupil’s The pupil’s work The pupil The pupil
work shows is lacked of demonstrates demonstrates a
little or no sincere originality originality unique level of
original thought originality
Effort The pupil did The pupils The pupils The pupil gave an
not finish the finished the completed the effort beyond the
model/output in model/output but model/output in requirement of
a satisfactory it lacks finishing an above this model/output
manner touches average
manner
Skill The pupil The pupil The pupil The pupil showed
showed poor showed average above average outstanding
craftsmanship craftsmanship craftsmanship craftsmanship
References
Books:

Padpad, C. E., Apolinario, A. N., Santos, C. G., (2015)

The New SCIENCE LINKS Worktext in Science and Technology, REX Book
Store

Cruz, J. M., Guttierez, S. D., Ziganay, S. V., Caintic, E. H., (2001)

INTO THE FUTURE: SCIENCE AND HEALTH Teacher’s Manual and
Textbook for Science and Health for Grade Six

Websites:

Open-Ended Scoring Rubric Retrieved from

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:open%20ended%
20response%20rubric on February 1, 2021

Scoring Rubric Retrieved from

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/98445941830770262/ on March 16, 2020
 ANSWER KEY

1. rotation
Activity 1 2. revolution
3. Earth
4. perihelion
5. aphelion
6. seasons
7. summer solstice
8. winter
9. autumnal equinox
10. spring

1. D 6. C
Activity 2 2. D 7. A
3. C 8. A
4. D 9. B
5. A 10. A

1. The Earth has

nights and days
Activity 3 because it rotates
on its axis.
2. The United States
and Canada
experience winter
because southern
hemisphere is
facing away from
the sun while
Antarctica
experiences
summer because
northern
hemisphere is
facing the sun.
3. Answers may vary

Activity 4 Model/output may vary