Astronomy quiz question: rise/set positions and paths of the sun

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA watches the sun rise in June. As soon as __________ later, the sun will rise on the horizon due east.
(A) 10 hours.
(B) 12 hours.
(C) 14 hours.
(D) One month.
(E) Three months.
(F) Six months.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (E)

Students completed this diagram of the paths for the sun for San Luis Obispo, CA on an in-class activity ("lecture-tutorial"). However, this diagram was not provided on the quiz.


In June, the sun will rise on the horizon between northeast and east, and takes 14 hours to set on the horizon between west and northwest. The sun will rise on the horizon due east during March or September. So the soonest that the sun will rise on the horizon due east after June would be September, three months later.

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz01SLYc
(A) : 13 students
(B) : 25 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 10 students
(F) : 2 students

Success level: 26% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.64