Science: Reasons for the Seasons

In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day occurs on the

summer solstice

In the Southern Hemisphere, the longest day occurs on the

summer solstice

Where would you be on the surface of the earth is you were in complete darkness for twenty-four hours on December 21?

the North Pole

How long does it take for earth to make one complete orbit around the sun?

1 year(365.25 days)

Define seasons. What causes seasons?

Times of the Year with particular patterns of weather the daylight, which vary depending on where you live. When parts of Earth receive more direct sunlight and have more daylight hours change throughout the year. The tilt of the Earth on its axis changes the seasons.

True or False and Explain your choice. Earth's distance from the sun is not the reason for the seasons.

True. This is because what causes seasons is when the Earth tilts towards or away from the Sun at different times of the year.

When are we the closest to the sun?

We are closest to the Sun in January. Actual distance away equals 147.5 million km.

When are we are farthest from the sun?

We are farthest from the Sun in July. Actual distance away equals 152.6 million km.

Which of the following occurs when the Sun is directly above Earth's equator?

equinox

Seasons are caused by Earth's

orbit and tilted axis and the tilt of the Earth on its axis changes the seasons.

The gradual change in the length of your shadow over the course of the day is caused by_________.

The positioning of the Sun

Which of the following occurs when the Sun is directly above Earth's equator? (1 word)

Equinox

If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, during which months does autumn occur? (think: opposite of autumn is which season? Which months do we experience spring?)\

If you live in the Southern Hemisphere it's March when Autumn occurs. The opposite season from Autumn is Spring. The month we experience during Spring is March.

If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, during which months does autumn occur?

March, April, May

What is the difference between rotation and revolution?

Rotation is the spinning motion of a planet on its axis. Revolution is the movement of one object around a center of another object.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day occurs on the _____ (2 words)

Summer Solstice

In the Southern Hemisphere, the longest day occurs on the _____ (2 words)

Summer Solstice

Describe winter/summer solstice and fall/spring equinox.

The Winter Solstice is takes place in December in the Northern Hemisphere. Earth is closer to the Sun. The Earth's Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The Summer Solstice is takes place in June. Earth is farther from the Sun. The Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The Fall Equinox takes place in September. The Spring Equinox takes place in March. In the Southern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice takes place in June. Earth is further from the Sun. The Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted. The Summer Solstice takes place in December. Earth is closer to the Sun. The Earth's Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The Fall Equinox takes place in March. The Spring Equinox takes place in September.

Why it is colder when the sun's position is lower in the sky at noon?

There are fewer hours of daylight and, since sunlight strikes less directly, less energy reaches the surface.

Why it is warmer when the sun's position is higher in the sky at noon?

There are more hours of daylight and sunlight strikes the surface at a more vertical rate. The more energy reaches the surface.

What causes day and night?

When the Earth makes one rotation on its axis

What causes the angle of the sun's rays to change during the year on Earth?

the tilt of Earth's axis