The
cause of the seasons can be attributed to the tilt of the earth’s
axis. The axis around
which the earth rotates every day is tipped 23.5 degrees. In summer, we are tipped toward the sun.
When we are tipped toward the sun, the sun’s rays beat down
upon the earth from almost straight overhead.
In winter, we are tipped away from the sun.
When we are tipped away from the sun, the sun’s rays beat
down upon the earth from a sharp angle.
The two extremes of angles are on June 21st where
the sun is at its highest noon and on December 21st where
the sun is at its lowest noon.
The
tilt of the earth’s axis causes the number of daylight hours to vary
during the year. In
summer the sun rises around 5:00 A.M. or so but doesn’t set until
10:00 P.M. The daylight
hours in winter are very short comparatively.
QUESTIONS
Seasons Questions and
Answers:
1. What is the cause of
the seasons?
2. What season is the
earth tipped toward the sun?
Summer.
3. What season is the
earth tipped away from the sun?
Winter.
4. What are the two dates
in which the angles of the sun are the most extreme?
June 21st and Dec. 21
5. Tell two new pieces of
info that you learned from the links provided concerning this topic.
Insert these into your defense log.
