Earth Science Chapter 2.2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What leads to the progression of seasons?

The combination of Earth's rotation and orbit leads to the progression of the seasons.

Why do the seasons occur?

The tilt of Earth's axis causes sunlight to fall differently on Earth at different times of year.

What does step 1 illustrate?

Step 1 illustrates the tilt of Earth's axis.

True or false: The seasons depend on Earth's distance from the Sun.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does step 2 show?

Step 2 shows Earth in June with sunlight striking the Northern Hemisphere at a steeper angle. Signup and view all the answers

How is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere but winter in the Southern Hemisphere?

The sunlight angle changes as Earth orbits the Sun, leading to opposite seasons. Signup and view all the answers

How are seasons caused by the axis tilt and not by changes in Earth's distance from the Sun?

The seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres due to the tilt of Earth's axis. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Earth is only about 3% farther from the Sun at its farthest point than at its nearest.

True Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the June solstice?

It occurs around June 21 when the Northern Hemisphere is tipped most directly toward the Sun. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the December solstice?

It occurs around December 21 when the Northern Hemisphere receives the least direct sunlight. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the March equinox?

It occurs around March 21 when the Northern Hemisphere is tipped slightly toward the Sun. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the September equinox?

It occurs around September 22 when the Northern Hemisphere first starts to be tipped away from the Sun. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The dates for solstices and equinoxes can vary.

True Signup and view all the answers

How can we mark the dates of the equinoxes and solstices?

We can mark them by observing changes in the Sun's path through the sky. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth's Seasons

Seasons progress due to a combination of Earth's rotation and orbit around the Sun.
The tilt of Earth's axis causes varying sunlight distribution across the planet throughout the year.

Earth's Axis and Sunlight

Earth's axis remains oriented towards Polaris throughout the year, influencing seasonal changes.
In June, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, experiencing summer, while the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away, experiencing winter.

Sunlight Angle and Temperature

The angle at which sunlight strikes Earth varies by hemisphere and season.
In June, steeper sunlight angles in the Northern Hemisphere result in more concentrated sunlight, leading to higher temperatures and increased daylight hours.
Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere receives sunlight at a shallower angle, resulting in winter conditions.

Seasonal Transitions

As Earth orbits, the hemispheres experience opposite seasons; summer for one is winter for the other.
March and September equinoxes represent transitional periods where both hemispheres receive equal sunlight.

Misconceptions about Seasons

Seasons are not affected significantly by the distance from the Sun; they are largely determined by the axial tilt of the Earth.
If distance were the primary factor, both hemispheres would experience the same season simultaneously.

Key Dates

June Solstice: Around June 21, Northern Hemisphere receives the most direct sunlight.
December Solstice: Around December 21, Northern Hemisphere receives the least direct sunlight.
March Equinox: Around March 21, marks transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
September Equinox: Around September 22, marks transition from summer to fall in the Northern Hemisphere.

Variability of Dates

The specific dates of solstices and equinoxes can vary by a few days, influenced by the leap year cycle.

Observing Seasonal Changes

The changes in the Sun's path across the sky can help mark the dates of equinoxes and solstices.

Description

Explore the key concepts of Earth's seasons in this flashcard quiz. Learn how the rotation and tilt of Earth contribute to the changing seasons throughout the year. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of basic Earth science principles.