Question

1. three students are discussing the cause of seasons.

student 1: sometimes the earth is tilted more, causing it to be summer; other times it is tilted less, so it is winter.

student 2: the earth has a tilted axis of rotation, allowing one hemisphere to have more direct light for longer during the summer.

student 3: during its orbit around the sun, the earth is closer to the sun in the summer and farther from the sun in the winter.

with which student do you agree? explain.

Explanation:

The cause of seasons is due to the Earth's tilted axis of rotation (about 23.5°) as it orbits the Sun. Student 1 is incorrect because the tilt of the Earth's axis is relatively constant (not "more" or "less" in a way that changes seasonally). Student 3 is incorrect because the Earth is actually closer to the Sun in winter (perihelion) and farther in summer (aphelion) for the Northern Hemisphere, so distance from the Sun isn't the cause. Student 2 is correct: the tilted axis means that, during different parts of the orbit, one hemisphere receives more direct sunlight (and longer days) in summer, while the other gets less direct sunlight (and shorter days) in winter.

Answer:

I agree with Student 2. The Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted (≈23.5°) relative to its orbital plane around the Sun. As the Earth orbits the Sun, this tilt causes one hemisphere to receive more direct solar radiation (and longer daylight hours) during summer, while the other hemisphere receives less direct radiation (and shorter days) during winter. Student 1 is wrong because the tilt angle of the Earth’s axis is nearly constant (not varying “more” or “less” seasonally). Student 3 is wrong because the Earth is closer to the Sun in winter (perihelion) and farther in summer (aphelion) for the Northern Hemisphere, so distance from the Sun does not cause seasons.