Glossary

 Role play:  apparent motion of the Sun

Procedure:

1. Stand in pairs, at least a couple of feet apart.
2. In each pair, the students on the left will be the Sun and the students on the right will be the Earth.
3. The Sun and the Earth face each other. Imagine that a person, say Nitu, is standing on the nose of the student performing the role of the Earth. What time of the day is it for Nitu?
4. Consider that the axis of rotation is vertical and the North Pole is on top of Nitu's head. Identify the direction of rotation of the Earth using the Right Hand Thumb Rule. Identify east and west for Nitu (remember, the Earth rotates from west to east).
5. Hold both hands out to right and left; the right hand will point to the western horizon and left hand will point to the eastern horizon.
6. Rotate slowly from west to east (right to left) and observe the Sun while rotating. Nitu would see the Sun going towards the west. When the Earth rotates by 90^°, the Sun sets below the western horizon for Nitu. This is evening (close to 6 p.m.) for Nitu.
7. Let the Earth rotate by another 90^° when Nitu will be on the opposite side of the Sun; it will now be midnight (12 a.m.) for Nitu.
8. After another quarter rotation, the Sun will start appearing on the eastern horizon. It is dawn (close to 6 a.m.) for Nitu.
9. Finally, when the Earth completes one rotation, it will again be noon (12 p.m.) for Nitu.
10. Allow the Earth to perform another rotation. This time imagine there are other people on different parts of the Earth – Renu on the right ear, Leena on the left ear and Heena on the back side of the head.
11. Now, when it is noon for Nitu, what is the time for Renu, Leena and Heena? Complete the following table. 

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