20090905

Astronomy quiz question: moonrise and moonset

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

What causes the moon to rise and set?
(A) Earth's rotation.
(B) Earth's revolution.
(C) Earth's precession.
(D) Earth's tilt.

Correct answer: (A)

Over one day, the position of the moon in its orbit relative to Earth remains approximately the same, while the rotation of Earth about its axis makes the moon appear to rise and set, along with the stars and the sun in their diurnal motion across the celestial sphere.

Section 70160
(A) : 35 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 2 students

Success level: 83% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.46

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