Astronomy quiz question: cause of moon rising and setting

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

__________ causes the moon to rise and set.
(A) Earth's revolution around the sun.
(B) Earth's rotation about its own axis.
(C) The moon's revolution around Earth.
(D) The moon's rotation about its own axis.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)

The 24-hour rotation of Earth about its own axis causes the moon (which is essentially stationary with respect to Earth during this time) to appear to rise and set over approximately 12 hours for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA. (The approximately 28-day "moonth" cycle of the moon's phases is caused by the moon's approximate 28-day revolution in its orbit around Earth.)

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz01Su8L
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 19 students
(C) : 29 students
(D) : 3 students

Success level: 37% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.35