Transcript Reasons for the Seasons Notes

The Reasons for the Seasons
Notes & Study Guide
Review of Time Concepts
Day – the amount of time it takes Earth to rotate
once on its axis
Month – the amount of time it takes the moon
to revolve around Earth one time
Year – the amount of time it takes for the Earth
to revolve around the Sun one time
Earth’s Orbit
Earth’s orbit is elliptical. However, the
eccentricity is so low that you might confuse it
with a perfect circle!
Seasons in the Northern Hemisphere
Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5 degrees. The axis points
to the North Star (Polaris).
Equinoxes and Solstices
Each marks the beginning of a new season:
Summer Solstice – longest day of the year
Winter Solstice – shortest day of the year
Autumnal Equinox – equal day and night
Vernal (Spring) Equinox – equal day and night
Axial Tilt & the Seasons
The hemisphere tilted towards the Sun
experiences summer (more direct solar angle,
more energy absorbed, higher temperatures)
The hemisphere tilted away from the Sun
experiences winter (less direct solar angle, lower
energy absorption, lower temperatures)
To Study…
1. This presentation
2. Lab activities completed in class
3. Quizlet
Quiz is worth approximately 21 points and is two
pages long.