Earth's Seasons Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How are seasons caused?

By the combination of Earth's tilted axis and its revolution around the Sun.

How does Earth move?

Earth moves through space in two major ways: rotation and revolution.

What does rotation mean?

The spinning on Earth's axis; one full rotation equals one day.

What does revolution mean?

Earth's orbit around the Sun; one revolution equals a year. Signup and view all the answers

Where does sunlight hit Earth's surface most directly?

The equator. Signup and view all the answers

How does sunlight hit the Earth near the poles?

Near the poles, sunlight arrives at a shallow angle, spreading out over a greater area. Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if Earth's axis was straight up-and-down in relation to the Sun?

The temperature would remain fairly constant year round. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Earth have seasons?

Earth has seasons because its axis is tilted as it revolves around the Sun. Signup and view all the answers

How are summer and winter caused?

Summer and winter are caused by Earth's tilt as it revolves around the Sun. Signup and view all the answers

Which hemisphere tilts towards the Sun in our summer?

The northern hemisphere. Signup and view all the answers

Which hemisphere tilts away from the Sun in our winter?

The southern hemisphere. Signup and view all the answers

When is the Sun at its maximum height in the sky in the northern hemisphere?

June solstice. Signup and view all the answers

What month is Earth the farthest from the Sun?

June. Signup and view all the answers

When does the northern hemisphere experience more hours of daylight than darkness?

March to September. Signup and view all the answers

The combination of direct rays and more hours of sunlight heats the surface more in what month than at any other time of the year?

June. Signup and view all the answers

In June, the southern hemisphere is experiencing what season?

Winter. Signup and view all the answers

During what month is Earth the closest to the Sun?

December. Signup and view all the answers

What does solstice mean?

The days when the Sun is farthest north or south of the equator. Signup and view all the answers

When does solstice occur?

Twice a year. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the days when solstice occurs?

The longest and shortest days of the year. Signup and view all the answers

What does equinox mean?

Means 'equal night'; neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the Sun. Signup and view all the answers

When does equinox occur?

Occurs twice a year, in March and September. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth's Seasons

Seasons result from the tilt of Earth's axis combined with its revolution around the Sun.
Earth's movements include rotation (spinning on its axis) and revolution (orbiting around the Sun).

Rotation and Revolution

Rotation explains the cycle of day and night; one complete rotation equals one day.
Revolution describes Earth’s orbit around the Sun; one complete revolution equals one year.

Sunlight Distribution

The equator receives sunlight most directly, leading to warmer temperatures.
Sunlight at the poles strikes at a shallow angle, spreading over a larger area, resulting in colder climates.

Impact of Earth's Axis

A vertically aligned axis would lead to minimal temperature variation throughout the year.
Seasons are defined by the tilt of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun, influencing temperature variations.

Seasonal Changes

Summer occurs in the Northern Hemisphere when it tilts towards the Sun.
Conversely, winter in the Northern Hemisphere occurs when it tilts away from the Sun.

Key Dates and Events

The June solstice marks the Sun's maximum height in the Northern Hemisphere.
Earth is farthest from the Sun in June, during summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Southern Hemisphere experiences winter during June as it tilts away from the Sun.

Daylight Variations

From March to September, the Northern Hemisphere enjoys more hours of daylight than darkness.
June experiences the highest temperatures due to a combination of direct sunlight and extended daylight hours.

Distance to the Sun

Earth is closest to the Sun in December, during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Solstices and Equinoxes

Solstice refers to the points when the Sun is farthest north or south of the equator, occurring twice a year.
Solstices result in the year's longest and shortest days.
Equinox means "equal night," occurring twice a year when neither hemisphere tilts toward or away from the Sun; this happens in March and September, with the noon Sun directly overhead at the equator.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of Earth's seasons through these informative flashcards. Learn how the tilted axis and the movement of the Earth create the seasons, along with the definitions of rotation and revolution. Perfect for students wanting to solidify their understanding of Earth's dynamics.