Gr7 - Sun and Earth Relationship Quiz

The Relationship of the Sun to the Earth

• The solstices occur on 22 December and 21 June, marking the Sun's highest position in the sky and the longest or shortest day of the year depending on the hemisphere.
• Seasons are influenced by the Earth's distance from the equator, the amount of solar radiation it receives, and the Earth's revolution and 23.5° tilt on its axis.
• The summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is on 22 December, while in the Northern Hemisphere it is on 21 June.
• Equinoxes occur on 21 March and 22 September, with equal durations of day and night.
• Temperatures near the equator remain relatively constant, while those further away experience greater seasonal variations.
• The concentration of solar energy at different latitudes affects temperature variations and the length of day and night.
• The difference in solar heating at various latitudes is a key factor in generating the world's weather systems.
• Warm air rising from the Earth's surface creates low-pressure areas, while cool air sinking creates high-pressure areas, generating wind.
• The angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth's surface, due to the Earth's curvature, affects the heating effect.
• The height of the midday Sun varies throughout the year, influencing the length of days and seasons.
• On 22 December, the Sun is almost directly overhead the southern tropic, leading to longer days, while in June, the Sun is largely invisible in the Southern Polar Region.
• Mid-latitude regions experience moderate temperatures, neither very hot nor very cold, with varying Sun heights on 21 December.