astronomy seasons and tides

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What is the time period between two consecutive high tides?

12 hours

Ocean tides on Earth are primarily caused by .

A differential force of gravity with the Moon.

Why do we have seasons on earth?

As the Earth goes around the Sun and Earth's axis remains pointed toward Polaris, the Northern and Southern hemispheres alternately receive more and less direct sunlight.

This is the date at which the Sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length.

Autumn and Vernal Equinox

The Earth's orbit slightly deviates from a circle so at times the Earth is slightly closer to the Sun than at other times. What would happen to the seasons on Earth if we could change its orbit to a perfect circle, so the distance from the Sun never changes? (Assume all other aspects of Earth's motion remain the same)

The seasons would be unaffected, meaning, they would behave the same as they do now.

The Sun is highest in our sky on ...

The summer solstice

Near the equator all seasons are more or less the same while higher latitudes see more pronounced differences in seasons.

True

If our year were twice as long (that is, if Earth took twice as many days to complete each orbit around the Sun), but Earth's rotation period and axis tilt were unchanged, then ________.

the four seasons would each be twice as long as they are now.

What is the shortest day of the year?

December 21

June 21 is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; however, it is not the hottest day of the year. Why is that?

Earth's surface is covered by air and water. These substances don't instantly heat up, they take time to warm so that is why the hottest days are later in the summer.

When the tides are lower than usual When the Sun and Moon are at right angles to the Sun's direction.

Neap Tide

When the Sun and Moon are lined up on either side of the Earth. When tides are higher than normal

Spring Tide

In June, the Sun is south of the celestial equator and spends more time with those who live in the Southern Hemisphere.

false

Seasons are the result of changing distance between the Earth and the Sun.

false

The fact that one side of the Earth is always slightly closer to the Moon than the other side makes no difference in the gravitational forces on the Earth from the Moon.

false

its always the same season in the northern and southern hemisphere

false

For North America, Earth is closest to the Sun in winter and farther from the Sun in summer.

true

Seasons are caused by the 23.5° tilt of Earth's axis.

true

seasons represent a change in weather patterns and amount of sunlight

true


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