3/27: Seasons and Insolation Review

Front

What is insolation?

Back

Insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation received by a given area over a specific time period.

Front

What is the significance of the Earth's tilt in relation to seasons?

Back

The Earth's tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to the changing seasons.

Front

What happens to the length of shadows as the sun moves across the sky?

Back

Shadows are longest when the sun is low in the sky (morning and evening) and shortest when the sun is directly overhead.

Front

At which location is the sun directly overhead during the equinoxes?

Back

The sun is directly overhead at the equator during the equinoxes (March 21 and September 23).

Front

What is the zenith position of the sun?

Back

The zenith is the point in the sky directly above an observer.

Front

How does the sun's path differ between summer and winter?

Back

In summer, the sun takes a higher path across the sky, resulting in longer days, while in winter, it takes a lower path, resulting in shorter days.

Front

What are the two equinoxes and when do they occur?

Back

The two equinoxes are the March equinox (around March 21) and the September equinox (around September 23), when day and night are approximately equal in length.

Front

What is the Tropic of Cancer?

Back

The Tropic of Cancer is located at 23.5 degrees North latitude and is the northernmost point where the sun can be directly overhead.

Front

What is the Tropic of Capricorn?

Back

The Tropic of Capricorn is located at 23.5 degrees South latitude and is the southernmost point where the sun can be directly overhead.

Front

What occurs at the poles during the summer solstice?

Back

During the summer solstice, the poles experience 24 hours of daylight.