Middle School Earth and Space Science : Explain why the Earth has seasons

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

What causes Earth's change of seasons?

Possible Answers:

Parts of Earth are closer to the sun as it rotates

Parts of Earth are tilted towards or away from the sun as it revolves

One half of Earth is facing the sun as it rotates

Earth is closer to the sun for part of its revolution

Correct answer:

Parts of Earth are tilted towards or away from the sun as it revolves

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

Example Question #2 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Which of the following is primarily responsible for Earth's seasons?

Possible Answers:

revolution only

revolution and tilt

rotation and tilt

revolution and rotation

Correct answer:

rotation and tilt

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

Example Question #3 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Seasons  1

What is best represented by the diagram shown?

Possible Answers:

Earth's seasons

Earth's rotation

Earth's solar cycle

Earth's night and day

Correct answer:

Earth's seasons

Explanation:

The answer is "Earth's seasons."

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

Example Question #1 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

What is the summer solstice?

Possible Answers:

none of these

when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun

the shortest day of the year

all of these

Correct answer:

none of these

Explanation:

The answer is none of these. The answer choices describe the winter solstice.

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).


The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #4 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

When is the north pole tilted closest to the sun?

Possible Answers:

summer solstice

none of these

equinox

winter solstice

Correct answer:

summer solstice

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #1 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Screen shot 2020 07 27 at 11.16.29 am

In which position would the southern hemisphere experience winter?

 

Possible Answers:

position 1

position 2

position 3

position 4

Correct answer:

position 2

Explanation:

The answer is "position 2" because the sun's rays are indirectly hitting the surface in the southern hemisphere. Positions 1 and 3 are fall and spring in the southern hemisphere respectively.

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun). The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #1 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Screen shot 2020 07 27 at 11.16.29 am

In which position is the northern hemisphere experiencing winter?

Possible Answers:

position 4

position 1

position 3

position 2

Correct answer:

position 4

Explanation:

The answer is "position 4" because the sun's rays are indirectly hitting the surface in the southern hemisphere. Positions 1 and 3 are spring and fall in the northern hemisphere. 

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun). The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #1 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Which explanation best describes why there are less than 10 hours of daylight in Alaska during the month of April?

Possible Answers:

Alaska is located in the far southern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation.

Alaska is located in the far southern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's revolution.

Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation.

Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in winter, and day and night are caused by Earth's revolution.

Correct answer:

Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation.

Explanation:

The answer is "Alaska is located in the far northern hemisphere, away from the sun in spring, and day and night are caused by Earth's rotation." 

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun). The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #1 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

How long would each season be if Earth did NOT spin on its axis?

Possible Answers:

1 year

Earth's rotation causes day and night, not the seasons.

24 hours

6 months

Correct answer:

Earth's rotation causes day and night, not the seasons.

Explanation:

The answer is "Earth's rotation causes day and night, not the seasons."

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

Example Question #9 : Explain Why The Earth Has Seasons

Which answer choice best explains the cause of summer in the southern hemisphere?

Possible Answers:

Earth's southern axis is tilted towards the sun during the summer in the northern hemisphere.

The sun is closer to the Earth during the summer.

The southern hemisphere receives more direct sunlight in the summer.

The north pole is tilted away from the sun in the summer.

Correct answer:

The southern hemisphere receives more direct sunlight in the summer.

Explanation:

The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its year-long path around the sun. The Earth has a tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the "ecliptic plane" (the imaginary surface formed by it's almost-circular path around the sun).

The day that the Earth's North Pole is tilted closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It is also the day that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, happens when the Earth's North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun.

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