Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
[Version 1]
An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are approximately 10 hours between sunrise and sunset. Which month is this?
(A) March.
(B) June.
(C) September.
(D) December.
(E) (Two of the above choices.)
Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)
The winter solstice (10 hours daylight, 14 hours night) occurs in December. (The vernal and autumnal equinoxes (12 hours daylight, 12 hours night) occur in March and in September; and the summer solstice (14 hours daylight, 10 hours night) occurs in June.)
Section 30674
Exam code: quiz01nYe3
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 18 students
(E): 4 students
Success level: 61% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.70
[Version 2]
An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are approximately 14 hours between sunrise and sunset. Which month is this?
(A) March.
(B) June.
(C) September.
(D) December.
(E) (Two of the above choices.)
Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)
The summer solstice (14 hours daylight, 10 hours night) occurs in June. (The vernal and autumnal equinoxes (12 hours daylight, 12 hours night) occur in March and in September; and the winter solstice (10 hours daylight, 14 hours night) occurs in December.)
Section 30676
Exam code: quiz01SLo3
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 26 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 3 students
(E): 12 students
Success level: 60% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.83
Showing posts with label equinox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label equinox. Show all posts
20110204
Astronomy quiz question: San Luis Obispo, CA equinox
Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
On a certain day an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are 12 hours between sunrise and sunset. How soon after this date will there be 12 hours between sunrise and sunset?
(A) One month.
(B) Three months.
(C) Six months.
(D) Nine months.
(E) Twelve months.
Correct answer: (C)
12 hours between sunrise and sunset occurs on an equinox, either in March (vernal) or September (autumnal). The time between any type of equinox ("how soon after this date") is six months.
Section 30674
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 25 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 6 students
"Success level": 62% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.69
Section 30676
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 34 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 10 students
"Success level": 71% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.42
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
On a certain day an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are 12 hours between sunrise and sunset. How soon after this date will there be 12 hours between sunrise and sunset?
(A) One month.
(B) Three months.
(C) Six months.
(D) Nine months.
(E) Twelve months.
Correct answer: (C)
12 hours between sunrise and sunset occurs on an equinox, either in March (vernal) or September (autumnal). The time between any type of equinox ("how soon after this date") is six months.
Section 30674
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 25 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 6 students
"Success level": 62% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.69
Section 30676
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 34 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 10 students
"Success level": 71% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.42
20100309
Astronomy quiz question: equinox months
Astronomy 210 Quiz 3, Spring Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA will notice that there are 12 hours between sunrise and sunset in:
(A) March.
(B) June.
(C) September.
(D) December.
(E) (More than one of the above choices.)
Correct answer: (E)
The vernal and autumnal equinoxes (12 hours daylight/12 hours night) occur in March and in September. Note that an unexpected number of students selected June (summer solstice, 14 hours daylight/10 hours night).
Section 30676
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 25 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 43 students
(Blank: 1 student)
"Success level": 61% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.71
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA will notice that there are 12 hours between sunrise and sunset in:
(A) March.
(B) June.
(C) September.
(D) December.
(E) (More than one of the above choices.)
Correct answer: (E)
The vernal and autumnal equinoxes (12 hours daylight/12 hours night) occur in March and in September. Note that an unexpected number of students selected June (summer solstice, 14 hours daylight/10 hours night).
Section 30676
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 25 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 43 students
(Blank: 1 student)
"Success level": 61% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.71
20090705
Astronomy in the marketplace: (Pontiac) Solstice vs. (Chevrolet) Equinox
20090503 Solstice/Equinoxhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/3596487403/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X
Pontiac Solstice coupe, Chevrolet Equinox sports utility vehicle badges. Photos by Cuesta College Physical Sciences Division instructor Dr. Patrick M. Len.
20080908
Astronomy quiz question: northwest setting Sun
Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, Fall Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
[4.0 points.] Which month would the Sun set in the northwest horizon, as seen by an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA?
(A) March or September.
(B) June.
(C) December.
(D) (None of the above choices, as it is not possible for the sun to set in the northwest horizon in San Luis Obispo, CA.)
Correct answer: (B)
In June (summer solstice), the Sun will rise northeast, pass the meridian very close to the zenith, and then set northwest. In March or September (vernal/autumnal equinoxes), the Sun will rise directly from the east and set in the west, while in December (winter solstice) the Sun will rise in the southeast, pass the meridian closer down towards the horizon, and eventually set southwest.
Student responses
Section 70158
(A) : 24 students
(B) : 27 students
(C) : 17 students
(D) : 7 students
"Difficulty level": 39%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.43
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
[4.0 points.] Which month would the Sun set in the northwest horizon, as seen by an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA?
(A) March or September.
(B) June.
(C) December.
(D) (None of the above choices, as it is not possible for the sun to set in the northwest horizon in San Luis Obispo, CA.)
Correct answer: (B)
In June (summer solstice), the Sun will rise northeast, pass the meridian very close to the zenith, and then set northwest. In March or September (vernal/autumnal equinoxes), the Sun will rise directly from the east and set in the west, while in December (winter solstice) the Sun will rise in the southeast, pass the meridian closer down towards the horizon, and eventually set southwest.
Student responses
Section 70158
(A) : 24 students
(B) : 27 students
(C) : 17 students
(D) : 7 students
"Difficulty level": 39%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.43
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