Astronomy 6th Grade Unit 2b - Seasons and Tides

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts related to Seasons and Tides in astronomy.

Tides

The changing level of the ocean on the shoreline, caused by the pull of the moon and the sun on the oceans' water level.

High tide

When the waves reach the highest point on the shore (2x a day).

Low tide

When the waves reach the lowest point on the shore (2x a day).

Spring tide

The highest high tide and lowest low tide, occurring when the sun, moon, and Earth are lined up (2x a month).

Neap tide

The lowest high tide and highest low tide, occurring when the sun, moon, and Earth make a right angle (2x a month).

Orbit

The path one object moves around another object in a roughly circular motion.

Revolution

Circular motion around another object.

Year

Time it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun once; one orbit of the Earth.

Rotation

Spinning on an axis, circular motion of an object.

Day(24 hours)

Time it takes the Earth to rotate on its axis once (24 hours).

Axis

The line around which an object rotates.

Tilt

The angle made by a planet's axis and a line drawn perpendicular to the planet's orbit around the sun.

Seasons

Temporary climate changes caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis changing angle of sunlight as the Earth revolves around the sun.

Winter Solstice

When a hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, occurring in December for the Northern Hemisphere.

Summer Solstice

When a hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, occurring in June for the Northern Hemisphere.

Vernal Equinox(Spring)

When the axis of Earth is not tipped toward or away from the sun; both hemispheres receive equal amounts of daylight and darkness, occurring in March for the Northern Hemisphere.

Autumnal Equinox(Fall or Autumn)

When the axis of Earth is not tipped toward or away from the sun; both hemispheres receive equal amounts of daylight and darkness, occurring in September for the Northern Hemisphere.

Hemisphere

One half of the Earth.

Gravity

A force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses.

Ebb Current(Low tide)

The flow of water seaward during a decrease in the height of the tide.

Flood Current/High Tide

Inflow of water when tide rises.