Question

part a: multiple choice

1. when does the sub - solar point strike the most southerly point on the earths surface?

(a) december 21
(b) march 21
(c) june 21
(d) september 23

1. what is the affect of the earths rotation around its own axis?

(a) does not affect either day and night, or seasonal change
(b) causes seasonal change only
(c) causes day and night only
(d) causes both seasonal change, and day and night

1. what is the affect of the earths revolution around the sun?

(a) does not effect either day and night or seasonal change
(b) affects seasonal change only
(c) affects day and night only
(d) affects both seasonal change and day and night

1. what season is it in the southern hemisphere when it is summer in the northern hemisphere?

(a) spring
(b) summer
(c) winter
(d) fall

1. what is the angle in inclination of the earths axis?

(a) 0°
(b) 23.5°
(c) 66.5°
(d) 90°

1. what term refers to earths orbit around the sun?

(a) equinox
(b) revolution
(c) rotation
(d) solstice

1. which best describes the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere?

(a) noontime sun is directly overhead at its farthest point north
(b) noontime sun is directly overhead at its farthest point south
(c) occurs at the midpoint of winter
(d) occurs twice a year

1. what accounts for differences in temperature as the seasons change?

(a) directness of the suns rays and length of days
(b) suns closeness to earth and regular variation in the suns output
(c) longer days and the sun is closer to earth
(d) regular variation in the suns output and more direct suns rays

Explanation:

1. The sub - solar point strikes the most southerly point (Tropic of Capricorn) on December 21, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. Earth's rotation around its own axis causes day and night.
3. Earth's revolution around the sun causes seasonal change.
4. When it is summer in the northern hemisphere, it is winter in the southern hemisphere due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.
5. The angle of inclination of the Earth's axis is 23.5°.
6. Earth's orbit around the sun is called revolution.
7. In the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice, the noontime sun is directly overhead at its farthest point south.
8. Differences in temperature as the seasons change are due to the directness of the sun's rays and length of days.

Answer:

1. A. December 21
2. C. causes day and night only
3. B. affects seasonal change only
4. C. Winter
5. B. 23.5°
6. B. revolution
7. B. noontime sun is directly overhead at its farthest point south
8. A. directness of the sun's rays and length of days