Question

earths seasons and planetary motion assessment

1. what causes the earths seasons?

a. the earths distance from the sun
b. the earths rotation on its axis
c. the earths tilted axis as it orbits the sun
d. the speed of earths orbit around the sun

1. what is the angle of earths axial tilt?

a. 15 degrees
b. 23.5 degrees
c. 45 degrees
d. 90 degrees

1. during summer in the northern hemisphere, what is occurring in the southern hemisphere?

a. spring
b. summer
c. fall
d. winter

1. what are the two solstices that occur each year?

a. march 21 and september 21
b. june 21 and december 21
c. january 1 and july 1
d. april 15 and october 15

Explanation:

1. Earth's seasons are caused by its tilted axis as it orbits the Sun. Different parts of Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight at different times of the year due to this tilt.
2. The Earth's axial tilt is approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt is a key factor in the changing seasons.
3. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere because the two hemispheres receive opposite - amounts of sunlight due to Earth's tilt.
4. The two solstices that occur each year are the summer solstice around June 21 (in the Northern Hemisphere) and the winter solstice around December 21 (in the Northern Hemisphere).

Answer:

1. c. The Earth's tilted axis as it orbits the Sun
2. b. 23.5 degrees
3. d. Winter
4. b. June 21 and December 21