Science question (Planets)

[buzzlady]

Critical Thinking:

How would Earth's year be different if it were farther from the sun? Explain your answer.

This was a question from DS homework yesterday. His answer was marked incorrect and was just wondering what your answer would be.

 

[preshi]

well i think parts of the year would be colder for longer, as well as warmer for longer, than others. If you mean time wise I have no idea.

 

[buzzlady]

DS answered that it would be longer and then explained why. I wish this teacher would correct and grade these papers herself. The kids switch papers and correct and grade them ~ but these homework papers are counting for 75% of his grade. I have the same problem with her and the math homework that I have posted about before. I spoke to her about it and she said that she would correct DS homework if I would like. I told her yes, but DS says that she isn't because then there would be the kid that he switches homework with that wouldn't have anyones paper to correct. Didn't she ever hear of a 3rd person switch. Vent over. Thanks.

 

[worm761]

the year would be longer. the reason being that a year is one orbital rotation around the sun. if the earth was further away from the sun but still orbiting at the same speed then it would take longer to orbit around.

i agree with you...the teacher should be grading the papers. what is she doing while the kids are grading the papers? is she at least telling them the answers? who says the kid grading the paper knows the answers!!!

just out of curiosity...what grade is your son in?

 

[dcgrumpy]

did they say why the answer was wrong?

I would say the year would be longer and it would be colder

 

[olena]

The year would definitely be longer. Perhaps the answer is wrong in the 'why' part. Isn't the teacher working from a textbook or other resource that the students can access?

 

[Pin Wizard]

How far out are we moving it? My thought is that the planet would be too cold and uninhabitable.

 

[buzzlady]

Originally posted by worm761
the year would be longer. the reason being that a year is one orbital rotation around the sun. if the earth was further away from the sun but still orbiting at the same speed then it would take longer to orbit around.

i agree with you...the teacher should be grading the papers. what is she doing while the kids are grading the papers? is she at least telling them the answers? who says the kid grading the paper knows the answers!!!

just out of curiosity...what grade is your son in?

Yes, the teacher is giving them the answers as they correct. DS is in 6th grade.

Olena - They are working from a text book (McGraw Hill) which has had sooooo many mistakes/typoes in the past few years. Just in this last chapter there was a blank space where a number (I think mileage) was supposed to be.

The question was a "Critical Thinking" question - for the kids to figure out. As for DS why for his answer I don't remember his exact wording but he did have that the Earth would be moving slower and so it would make the days longer making the year longer.

 

[sha_lyn]

The earth wouldn't be moving slower or faster, it would be moving a longer distance. That's why his answer is incorrect. Looks like he should have gotten partial credit for it.

I don't see why she should have to give him special treatment and correct his work. He should be paying attention when she gives the correct answer, or he should approach her and ask her what the correct answer is.

I think that the class reviewing and grading papers is a good idea. It usually results in discussion as to why an answer is right and wrong, instead of the students just being handed a graded/corrected paper.

 

[Carl]

The earth would not be moving slower, but it would take longer for the earth to complete one revolution around the sun - thus the year would be longer.