Does the sun rise exactly in the east in all seasons? in Changes around us – Class 6 Science Experiment
Chapter Name: Changes around us
Activity Name: Does the sun rise exactly in the east in all seasons? in Changes around us
Activity Description:
The experiment aims to observe whether the sun rises exactly in the east during different seasons.
By using a magnetic compass to find the North-South direction and marking the East-West direction perpendicular to it, we can compare this direction with the sunrise direction in both winter and summer seasons.
The experiment also encourages finding the sunrise direction even outside of the winter season to further analyze any variations.
Required Items:
- Magnetic compass
- Notebook or paper
- Pen or pencil
- Access to an open area for sunrise observations
Step by Step Procedure:
- Begin by familiarizing yourself with the magnetic compass and its functionality.
- Go to an open area where you can observe the sunrise clearly.
- Take the magnetic compass and hold it horizontally, making sure it is level.
- Observe the compass needle and identify the North-South direction based on the needle’s orientation. The end pointing towards the North is the North direction.
- With the compass still level, mark a perpendicular line to the North-South direction, representing the East-West direction.
- Note down the direction you have marked as the East.
- Observe the direction of sunrise during the winter season.
- Repeat the sunrise observation three to four times during winter, noting down the direction each time.
- Compare the direction of sunrise with the marked East direction on the compass.
- Record any changes or differences noticed between the direction of sunrise and the marked East direction.
- Repeat the sunrise observations three to four times during the summer season, noting down the direction each time.
- Compare the direction of sunrise with the marked East direction on the compass during summer.
- Record any changes or differences noticed between the direction of sunrise and the marked East direction.
- As an additional step, try to find the direction of sunrise even if it is not winter at the time of conducting the experiment.
- Note down whether the sun rises exactly in the east during this non-winter observation.
Experiment Observations:
- Note down the direction marked as East based on the magnetic compass.
- Record the direction of sunrise during the winter season for three to four observations.
- Compare the direction of sunrise with the marked East direction and note any differences.
- Repeat the process for the summer season, observing the direction of sunrise and comparing it with the marked East direction.
- Note any changes observed in the sunrise direction between the winter and summer seasons.
- Lastly, record the direction of sunrise during a non-winter observation and compare it with the marked East direction.
Precautions:
- Ensure the magnetic compass is level and held horizontally for accurate readings.
- Choose an open area with an unobstructed view of the sunrise.
- Conduct the experiment during different times of the year to observe seasonal variations.
- Take multiple observations to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Lesson Learnt from Experiment:
Through this experiment, we can learn whether the sun rises exactly in the east in all seasons. By comparing the direction of sunrise with the marked East direction on a magnetic compass, we can identify any variations.
The observations will help us understand if the sunrise direction changes between winter and summer seasons, and whether it aligns with the marked East direction. This experiment enhances our understanding of the changing position of the sun and its impact on our surroundings throughout the year.
