How does Earth's Orbit Affect The Seasons? Test Your Knowledge!

1. What does the Earth's tilt cause?

The seasons

Day and Night

Tsunamis

Earthquakes

The tilt of the earth causes seasons to occur because it changes the angle that sun rays hit the earth

Explanation

The tilt of the earth causes seasons to occur because it changes the angle that sun rays hit the earth

2. The Earth is a tilted planet. What is the degree of tilt?

Approximately 25 degrees

Exactly 25 degrees

23.5 degrees

90 degrees with respect to the sun

The correct answer is 23.5 degrees. This is because the Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the sun. This tilt is what causes the change in seasons and the variation in daylight hours throughout the year.

Explanation

The correct answer is 23.5 degrees. This is because the Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the sun. This tilt is what causes the change in seasons and the variation in daylight hours throughout the year.

3. What is the shape of the Earth's orbit around the sun?

Circular

Elliptical (slightly oval)

Square to rectangular

Variable and changes with the seasons (no particular shape)

The shape of the Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical. In other words, the Earth's orbit is an elongated and slightly flattened circle. This elliptical shape means that the Earth's distance from the sun varies throughout the year, with the closest point in the orbit known as perihelion and the farthest point called aphelion. The elliptical shape of Earth's orbit is one of the reasons for the variation in seasons.

Explanation

The shape of the Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical. In other words, the Earth's orbit is an elongated and slightly flattened circle. This elliptical shape means that the Earth's distance from the sun varies throughout the year, with the closest point in the orbit known as perihelion and the farthest point called aphelion. The elliptical shape of Earth's orbit is one of the reasons for the variation in seasons.

4. The Arctic Circle receives several days each year where the sun never rises.

True

False

True. The Arctic Circle does experience several days each year during which the sun remains below the horizon, resulting in a phenomenon known as the "polar night." This occurs during the winter months, and it means that the Arctic Circle receives no direct sunlight for a certain period of time, leading to continuous darkness. Conversely, during the summer months, the Arctic Circle experiences the "midnight sun" phenomenon, with continuous daylight for several days, when the sun never sets.

Explanation

True. The Arctic Circle does experience several days each year during which the sun remains below the horizon, resulting in a phenomenon known as the "polar night." This occurs during the winter months, and it means that the Arctic Circle receives no direct sunlight for a certain period of time, leading to continuous darkness. Conversely, during the summer months, the Arctic Circle experiences the "midnight sun" phenomenon, with continuous daylight for several days, when the sun never sets.

5. Which of the following best describes equinoxes?

The earth is tilted neither toward or away from the sun

The norther hemisphere is tilted toward the sun

The northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun

The southern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun

During equinoxes, the Earth's axis is positioned in such a way that it is not tilted with respect to the sun, resulting in nearly equal day and night lengths. This means that neither the Northern nor the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun during these periods.

Explanation

During equinoxes, the Earth's axis is positioned in such a way that it is not tilted with respect to the sun, resulting in nearly equal day and night lengths. This means that neither the Northern nor the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun during these periods.

6. Which of the following best describes the tilt of the Earth when it is summer in the southern hemisphere?

The northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun

The northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun

The norther hemisphere is tilted neither toward or away from the sun

The southern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun

During summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the Earth's tilt can be described as:

The Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun.

This means that the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, and the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun. This orientation of the Earth's axis results in the Southern Hemisphere receiving more direct sunlight, causing it to experience summer.

Explanation

During summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the Earth's tilt can be described as:

The Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun.

This means that the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, and the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun. This orientation of the Earth's axis results in the Southern Hemisphere receiving more direct sunlight, causing it to experience summer.

7. What effect does the tilt of the Earth have?

It changes the angle that the sun strikes the earth in different land areas

It causes the earth to be farther away from the sun at different times of the year

When the earth is tilted away from the sun we have night

When the earth is tilted away from the sun we have day

The more directly the sun's rays strike the earth, the more effective it is at warming the earth. The sun's rays strike the equator directly year round and so it is always warm at the equator.

Explanation

The more directly the sun's rays strike the earth, the more effective it is at warming the earth. The sun's rays strike the equator directly year round and so it is always warm at the equator.

8. Which of the following best describes the tilt of the Earth during the spring and fall equinoxes?

The earth is tilted away from the sun (Northern hemisphere)

The earth is tilted neither toward or away from the sun (tilt is side to side)

The earth is tilted toward the sun (Northern hemisphere)

The earth is not tilted during spring and fall

During the spring and fall, the earth is tilted side to side as opposed to summer when that hemisphere is tilted toward the sun or away for winter

Explanation

During the spring and fall, the earth is tilted side to side as opposed to summer when that hemisphere is tilted toward the sun or away for winter

9. Which of the following best describes solstice.

Either the longest or shortest day of the year for a hemisphere

December 21 or 22

June 21 or 22

All of the above

All of the above best describes a solstice. A solstice is a significant event in the Earth's orbit and axial tilt, occurring twice a year. It marks either the longest day (summer solstice) or the shortest day (winter solstice) of the year for a hemisphere. The specific dates for solstices are around December 21 or 22 for the winter solstice and around June 21 or 22 for the summer solstice.

Explanation

All of the above best describes a solstice. A solstice is a significant event in the Earth's orbit and axial tilt, occurring twice a year. It marks either the longest day (summer solstice) or the shortest day (winter solstice) of the year for a hemisphere. The specific dates for solstices are around December 21 or 22 for the winter solstice and around June 21 or 22 for the summer solstice.

10. Each day past the summer solstice, the days get longer and longer until the fall equinox.

True

False

The days get shorter. As we progress from summer to fall, the days get shorter until we have equal amounts of day and night at the equinox. Days will continue to get shorter until the winter solstice.

Explanation

The days get shorter. As we progress from summer to fall, the days get shorter until we have equal amounts of day and night at the equinox. Days will continue to get shorter until the winter solstice.

How Does Earth's Orbit Affect The Seasons? Test Your Knowledge!