Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason for the existence of seasons on Earth?
What is the primary reason for the existence of seasons on Earth?
- The tilt of Earth's rotational axis relative to the Sun. (correct)
- The elliptical shape of Earth's orbit around the Sun.
- The varying distance between the Earth and the Sun throughout the year.
- Changes in solar activity and the solar wind.
How does the Earth's magnetic field protect us from the solar wind?
How does the Earth's magnetic field protect us from the solar wind?
- It neutralizes the charged particles from the solar wind.
- It deflects most of the charged particles from the solar wind. (correct)
- It absorbs the charged particles from the solar wind.
- It reverses the direction of charged particles, sending them back towards the Sun.
What is the approximate duration of the solar cycle, which influences solar activity?
What is the approximate duration of the solar cycle, which influences solar activity?
- 5 years
- 11 years (correct)
- 26 years
- 52 years
What phenomenon causes the aurora borealis?
What phenomenon causes the aurora borealis?
What is tidal locking?
What is tidal locking?
What is the current axial tilt of the Earth?
What is the current axial tilt of the Earth?
What is the term for the wobble of Earth's axis, similar to a spinning top?
What is the term for the wobble of Earth's axis, similar to a spinning top?
What is the primary reason for the moon's orbit around the Earth?
What is the primary reason for the moon's orbit around the Earth?
Besides phases and eclipses, what other phenomena result from the interactions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon?
Besides phases and eclipses, what other phenomena result from the interactions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon?
A solar eclipse occurs when...
A solar eclipse occurs when...
What causes the different phases of the moon?
What causes the different phases of the moon?
Which celestial body has the greatest influence on Earth's tides?
Which celestial body has the greatest influence on Earth's tides?
How does the Sun contribute to Earth's tides?
How does the Sun contribute to Earth's tides?
Why is only half of the Moon always illuminated by the Sun?
Why is only half of the Moon always illuminated by the Sun?
When does a 'new moon' occur?
When does a 'new moon' occur?
Flashcards
Earth-Moon-Sun System
Earth-Moon-Sun System
The interaction between the Earth, Moon, and Sun affecting various phenomena.
Moon Phases
Moon Phases
Different shapes of the moon visible from Earth, caused by its position relative to the Sun and Earth.
New Moon
New Moon
Phase of the moon when it is between the Earth and Sun, and the lit side is away from Earth.
Full Moon
Full Moon
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Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse
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Tides
Tides
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Gravitational Pull
Gravitational Pull
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Seasonal Changes
Seasonal Changes
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Solar Energy
Solar Energy
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Seasons
Seasons
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Tidal Locking
Tidal Locking
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Solar Wind
Solar Wind
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Earth's Tilt
Earth's Tilt
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Precession
Precession
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Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis
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Study Notes
Sun-Earth-Moon Interactions
- Earth orbits the sun, and the moon orbits Earth, due to gravitational attraction between celestial bodies.
- The sun's gravitational pull keeps Earth in orbit, and Earth's pull keeps the moon in orbit.
Phases and Eclipses
- Half of Earth and half of the moon are always lit by the sun.
- Moon phases depend on our perspective of the lit portion as the moon orbits Earth.
- New moon: Moon is between Earth and Sun, and none of the moon is visible.
- Full moon: Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, and the entire moon is visible.
- Solar eclipse: Moon is directly between Earth and Sun, blocking the Sun from view.
Tides
- Tides are the regular rise and fall of ocean levels.
- Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on Earth's oceans.
- Moon's gravity has a stronger effect on tides than the sun's, despite the sun being significantly larger.
Seasons
- Earth's tilted axis causes seasons.
- When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it experiences summer (more concentrated sunlight).
- When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it experiences winter (less concentrated sunlight).
Solar Activity and Solar Winds
- Sun's energy powers life on Earth.
- Solar activity (sun's energy output) fluctuates on an 11-year cycle.
- Solar wind is a stream of charged particles from the sun.
- Earth's magnetic field deflects most solar wind particles.
- Aurora borealis is caused by solar wind particles interacting with Earth's atmosphere.
Long-Term Interactions
- Earth's rotation and orbital position change over time.
- Tidal locking: Moon's rotation and revolution around Earth are synchronized, leading to one side always facing Earth.
- Earth's tilt varies over time.
- Precession: Earth's wobble in its orbit, completing a cycle every ~26,000 years.
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