Astronomy quiz question: cause of moon rising, setting

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

Earth's rotation causes the moon to:
(A) undergo different phases.
(B) rise and set.
(C) rotate.
(D) appear in front of different zodiac constellations.

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 over the course of a day) to appear to rise and set over approximately 10-14 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 approximately 28-day revolution in its orbit around Earth.)

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz01sC4r
(A) : 17 students
(B) : 26 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 1 student

Success level: 60% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.68

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz01n35t
(A) : 16 students
(B) : 14 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 1 student

Success level: 48% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.65