Earth's Motion
Explain Earth's rotation.
Earth spins around itself on its axis.
Where is it warmer on Earth? At the poles or the Equator?
The Equator
Which two seasons are solstices?
Winter and Summer
True or False: A solstice is a day when Earth’s rotation axis is tilted the most toward OR the most away from the Sun.
True
Which season would begin on June 21 in the southern hemisphere?
Winter
Explain Earth's Revolution
When Earth completes orbit around the sun.
False
Which two seasons are Equinoxes?
Spring and Autumn/Fall
The point of Earth’s orbit that is FARTHEST away from the Sun. (early July)
Aphelion
Which season would begin on September 23 in the northern hemisphere?
Fall/Autumn
What is the degree of Earth's tilt?
23.5 degrees
True or False: The sunlight at the equator is less direct than the sunlight at the poles.
False
Is the Earth's axis tilted toward or away from the Sun in the Summer (northern hemisphere)?
Tilted toward the Sun
The point of Earth’s orbit that is CLOSEST to the Sun. (early January)
Perihelion
Explain Polar Night.
A phenomenon closer to the poles where night lasts anywhere from 24 hours to 6 months.
Earth's rotation causes
day and night
Explain why it is warmer at the Equator, compared to the poles.
The equator receives more direct sunlight. When the sunlight hits the equator, it is concentrated, making the heat more intense. At the poles, the same amount of sunlight that hits the equator, now has to spread over the curve of the Earth. This makes the sunlight less direct and less intense, providing colder temperatures.
Which season(s) experience equal hours of daylight and nighttime?
Autumn and Spring
An equinox is a day when Earth’s rotation axis is tilted the most toward OR the most away from the Sun.
If false, correct the sentence to make it true.
False, an equinox is when Earth's rotation axis is neither tilted the most toward or the most away from the Sun.
Explain Midnight Sun.
A phenomenon closer to the poles where daylight lasts anywhere from 24 hours to 6 months.
Earth's revolution along with what else, causes the seasons?
The Earth's tilt
Explain the path of the Sun in the sky during the December Solstice, the March Equinox, the June Solstice and the September Equinox.
The Sun is lowest in the sky during the December solstice, highest in the sky during the June solstice and equal during the September and March equinoxes.
What is the vernal equinox and when does it occur?
The vernal equinox is the spring equinox. It occurs in March for the northern hemisphere and September for the southern hemisphere.
Explain why when we are closer to the Sun (in January), is it colder than when we are farthest from the Sun (in July).
Our distance from the Sun does not make a big impact. Our seasons are more directly impacted by the tilt of the Earth, and its revolution around the Sun.
Where on Earth experiences 6 months of daylight, and then 6 months of no light?
Hint: Two Circles.
Arctic and Antarctic