Chapter 1- The Seasons Flashcards
(12 cards)
What does the earth rotate on?
The earth spins on its axis which is an Imaginary line through the earth.
How long does it take earth to rotate?
It takes the earth 23 hours and 56 minutes.
What causes day and night?
The rotation of the earth on its axis
How long does it take the earth to travel around the sun?
It takes the earth 365 and 1/4 days to travel around the sun. This is also known as a year. Every leap year (every fourth year) there are 366 days.
Is earths orbit around the sun a perfect circle?
No it is an ellipse.
What is a orbit?
The orbit is the path a planet takes around something. e.g the earth orbits around the sun.
What are the seasons caused by?
The seasons are the result of the tilt of the earths axis. Which is tilted at 23.5 degrees
When is earth closest and furthest away from the sun?
Closest around January 4 and furthest around July 4
Explain daylight hours
The number of daylight hours is greater for the hemisphere that is tilted towards the sun.
Why is summer warmer than winter
Because the Suns Ray’s of light are more direct than the Rays in winter.
What is a solstices
Solstices occur twice a year. They happen when the earths axis is orientated directly towards or away from the sun, making the sun appear to reach the northern and southern most points.
What day is the winter and summer solstices?
Winter: the shortest day of the year
Summer: the longest day of the year
