Original Project
Weather and Climate II: Seasonal Differences
As the earth turns, the intensity of the energy from sunlight striking a place rises and falls over the course o…
Item CL085002: The intensity of sunlight at a place on the surface of the earth changes over the course of a day because the height of the sun above the horizon at that place changes over the course of the day.
Which of the following statements best explains why the intensity of sunlight at a place on the surface of the earth changes over the course of a day?
- The distance sunlight travels to reach that place changes over the course of the day.
- The height of the sun above the horizon at that place changes over the course of the day.
- The amount of atmosphere sunlight travels through to reach that place changes over the course of the day.
- The only way the intensity of sunlight can change is if the sunlight is blocked by clouds before it reaches the surface of the earth.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 800 | 2370 | 34% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 398 | 1277 | 31% |
| 9–12 | 400 | 1089 | 37% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 385 | 1096 | 35% |
| Female | 395 | 1204 | 33% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 721 | 2074 | 35% |
| Other | 51 | 192 | 27% |
- NRC Framework
- ESS1.B …the intensity of sunlight falling on a given location on the planet’s surface changes as it orbits around the sun.
- Notes
- NGSS addresses the change in intensity of sunlight falling on a given location on the Earth’s surface as it orbits around the sun, but not as it rotates on its axis.