Year 7 Earth and Space Science Revision Flashcards

A set of practice flashcards testing key concepts from the Year 7 Planet Earth and the Solar System test revision checklist.

What is the difference between how stars and planets or moons produce light?

Stars release their own light, whereas planets and moons reflect light from other sources.

What causes day and night on Earth, and how long does one complete rotation take?

Day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis, which takes 24 hours.

What causes seasons on Earth, and how long does one complete revolution around the Sun take?

Seasons are caused by the revolution of the Earth around the Sun, which takes 365 days.

What is the main difference between the geocentric model and the heliocentric model of the solar system?

The geocentric model places Earth at the centre, while the heliocentric model places the Sun at the centre.

Which historical scientists are associated with the geocentric and heliocentric models in the revision checklist?

Ptolemy is associated with the geocentric model, and Copernicus is associated with the heliocentric model.

Why did models of the solar system change over time?

Models changed over time due to observations, new evidence, and improved technology.

What is Earth's only natural satellite?

The Moon.

What occurs during a solar eclipse, and what is the relative position of the Sun, Moon, and Earth?

During a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks sunlight and daytime becomes dark; the alignment is Sun, Moon, Earth.

What occurs during a lunar eclipse, and what is the relative position of the Sun, Earth, and Moon?

During a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow falls on the Moon; the alignment is Sun, Earth, Moon.

What are the names of the two shadows associated with solar and lunar eclipses?

The umbra and penumbra.

What causes tides in Earth's oceans?

Tides are caused by the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun on Earth's oceans.

How do gravitational forces result in high and low tides on Earth?

They cause areas of bulging water on the side facing and opposite the Moon.

What alignment produces spring tides, and how do they affect high and low tides?

Spring tides occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned, creating a stronger gravitational pull that leads to higher high tides and lower low tides.

What alignment produces neap tides, and how do they affect high and low tides?

Neap tides occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles, creating a weaker gravitational pull with a smaller difference between high and low tides.

What objects in the solar system are listed besides terrestrial planets and gas giants?

Dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, moons, and meteoroids/meteorites.