Activity: Make a model of the Earth in daytime and nighttime
MATERIALS:
-A globe of the Earth or a balloon with the shapes of the continents drawn on it string to hang a globe or
balloon.
-A large mirror.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Everyone must look at the globe from the same side. A globe is a model of the Earth.
This picture shows you how to set up the equipment.
Set up a mirror outside the room so that it reflects bright sunlight onto the Earth globe. Your globe must
be able to spin around.
Everyone must look at the globe from the same side.
Find Africa on the globe. Turn the globe so that the Sun's light falls on South Africa.
One side of the globe is in shadow. Find the shadow in the picture. Write the word "shadow" next to it.
Find where Durban and Cape Town are on the globe.
Look at the globe in the picture. If you were in Durban, would it be daytime or nighttime?
If you were in Cape Town, would it be daytime or nighttime?
Now turn the globe so that Africa moves to the right. That is, you turn the globe towards the East. You
will see Durban becoming dark and moving into the shadow. When Durban is in nighttime, Cape Town
will still be in sunlight.
Keep on turning the globe towards the East. Now Cape Town will go into the shadow. That is nighttime
for the people in Cape Town.
Which city will come back into daytime first, Cape Town or Durban?
Keep on turning the globe to the East, and Durban will come back into daytime. You have to move to the
other side of the model to see Durban move into sunlight.
How many hours pass for the Earth to turn around once?