Lesson 2 Earth's Tilted Axis

Which of the following describes Earth's position in relationship to the sun at an equinox?

• When the North and South Poles switch positions, Earth experiences an equinox

• When the South Pole is closer to the sun than the North Pole, Earth experiences an equinox

• When the North Pole is closer to the sun than the South Pole, Earth experiences an equinox

• When the North and South Poles are equal distance from the sun, Earth experiences an equinox.

What causes the sunrise to appear near different rocks at different times of the year?

• Earth rotates on its axis at different speeds during different times of the year

• Earth rotates on its axis at the same speed during different times of the year.

• The sun's path in the sky begins and ends in slightly different places during the year.

• The sun's path in the sky always begins and ends in the same place during the year.

Why does the Northern Hemisphere have winter while the Southern Hemisphere has summer?

• The differences in the seasons are caused by the speed of rotation of Earth.

• The difference in the seasons are caused by the locations at different longitudes.

• The differences in the seasons are caused by the hemispheres experiencing different day and night cycles.

• The differences in the seasons are caused by changes in the position of Earth's axis relative to the sun.

The tropics are the furthest latitudes north and south of the equator at which sunlight hits Earth's surface at a 90 degree angle. Which of the following occurs during a solstice?

• The length of day and night are equal.

• The sun is equal distance from both tropics.

• The sun is directly overhead at the equators at noon.

• The sun is directly overhead of one of the tropics at noon.

Which explanation describes the cause and effect relationship affecting the amount of daylight observed in an one month at one location?

• The amount of daylight observed is affected by Earth's distance from the sun.

• The amount of daylight observed is affected by Earth's vertical movement on its orbital plane.

• The amount of daylight observed is affected by the amount of sunlight coming from the sun.

• The amount of daylight observed is affected by the tilt of Earth's axis relative to the sun.

Which date represents the shortest day of the year for the Southern Hemisphere?

• December 21/22

• March 20/21

• June 20/21

• September 21/22

Which month marks the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere?

• August

• February

• December

• June

Which of these describes the behavior of the sun during winter?

• It rises earlier in the morning and sets earlier in the evening

• It rises later in the morning and sets earlier in the evening

• It rises later in the morning and sets later in the evening

• It rises earlier in the morning and sets later in the evening.

Which of these best describes a seasonal pattern?

• leaves falling off trees in autumn for 10 years

• the sun rising and setting in the same directions for 1 week

• a cold storm in the middle of summer once in 100 years

• the sun staying longer in the sky during summer compared to winter for 1 year

How does the Earth's shape affect the way that sunlight hits it?

• Sunlight never hits Earth at different angles

• Sunlight always hits Earth at the same angle

• Sunlight only touches some parts of Earth and not others

• Sunlight always hits different parts of Earth at different angles