Ch. 4 and 4.2 and 4.6 Mod 3. Seasons and Tides

Why do we have seasons on Earth? A. 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. B. Seasons are caused by the influence of the planet Jupiter on our orbit. C. The tilt of the Earth's axis constantly changes between 0 and 23.5°, giving us summer when Earth is tilted more and winter when it is straight up. D. Earth's distance from the Sun varies, summer is when we are closer to the Sun and winter is when we are farther from the Sun. E. All of the above

A. 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. Note that more than one option may be valid. A. Vernal equinox B. Winter solstice C. Autumnal equinox D. Summer solstice

A. Vernal equinox C. Autumnal equinox

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? A. June 21 is the hottest day of the year, so that statement is actually false. B. Earth's surface is covered by air and water. These substances don't instantly heat up, they take time to warm so the hottest days are later in the summer. C. The rotation of the Earth spreads the heat around so it takes longer for the overall temperature to increase. D. Even though it is the longest day, the Northern hemisphere is receiving indirect sunlight at that time so it not warming as much.

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

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 ________. A. the Earth would not have seasons. B. the four seasons would each be twice as long as they are now. C. the cycle of precession would take 13,000 years instead of 26,000 years. D. stars would take twice as long to rise and set.

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

What is the shortest day of the year, as experienced by an observer in the Northern Hemisphere? A. March 21 B. September 21 C. December 21 D. June 21

C. December 21

When would the Sun be highest in the sky at the equator? A. the summer solstice B. the winter solstice C. either the vernal or autumnal equinox

C. either the vernal or autumnal equinox

In Utah, the Sun is highest in our sky on ... A. the winter solstice. B. the vernal equinox. C. the summer solstice. D. the autumnal equinox.

C. the summer solstice.

What is the time period between two consecutive high tides? A. about 1 month. B. 24 hours. C. 6 hours. D. 12 hours.

D. 12 hours.

Ocean tides on Earth are primarily caused by ... A. Gravity from the Moon compresses or expands the water. B. The rotation of the Earth. C. Conservation of angular momentum. D. A differential force of gravity with the Moon.

D. A differential force of gravity with the Moon.

What is the primary cause for the ocean tides on Earth? A. The gravitational pull of the Sun. B. The spin of the Earth around its axis of rotation. C. The revolution of the Earth around the Sun. D. The gravitational pull of the Moon.

D. The gravitational pull of the Moon.

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) A. We would have another ice age. B. There would no longer be any seasons, meaning, there would be no change in average weather or daylight times during the year. C. The seasonal change would be even more dramatic (hotter in the summer, colder in the winter). D. The seasons would be unaffected, meaning, they would behave the same as they do now.

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

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

False

It is always the same season in the Northern Hemisphere as it is in the Southern Hemisphere. True False

False

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

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. True False

False

Summer is when Earth is closer to the Sun and winter is when Earth is farther from the Sun. True False

False Seasons result from the tilt of the Earth, not the distance Earth is from the Sun. For the United States Earth is actually closer to the Sun in winter than in summer, so seasons are obviously is not defined by distance to the Sun.

Match the properties and descriptions to the appropriate tide category. Spring Tide or Neap Tide... A. When the Sun and Moon are lined up on either side of the Earth. B. When the tides are lower than usual. C. When tides are higher than normal. D. When the Sun and Moon are at right angles to the Sun's direction.

Spring Tide: A, C Neap Tide: B, D

Earth is closest to the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere winter and farther from the Sun in Northern Hemisphere summer. True False

True

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

True

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

True

Seasons represent a change in weather patterns and the amount of sunlight. True False

True

Precession

Wobble in Earth's rotational axis A slow motion of Earth's axis that traces out a cone over a period of 26,000 years