Seasons, Rotation and Revolutions

Having been here on Earth for a while, you know that every year is made up of four seasons.

What causes the changes in seasons?

• The rotation of the sun.

• The tilt of the Earth on its axis.

• The heating and cooling of the sun.

• The rotation of the Earth on its axis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Imagine there was no tilt to the Earth's axis and Earth's orbit was circular. What would be true about the length of days and nights on Earth?

• The periods of day and night would be fixed all year, for any location.

• Night, as we know it on Earth, would end. We would be in constant daylight.

• The periods of day and night would be fixed all year for anyone living at Earth's equator.

• The areas closest to the equator would have constant daylight during the year; the areas near the poles, constant night.

Which diagram BEST models how the day/night cycle occurs on Earth?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

If you live in Earth's northern hemisphere, on June 20th or 21st you experience summer solstice, which represents the official start of summer. This is the longest day of the year. What causes this change in day length?

• The apparent counterclockwise movement of the Earth.

• The Earth is orbiting closest to the sun at this time.

• Earth's tilt toward the sun is maximized at this time in the Northern Hemisphere.

• The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun while the Earth is orbiting at its closest point to the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The Earth is constantly spinning on its axis, like you might spin a basketball on your finger.

It is this spinning of the Earth that causes

• the summer-time heat.

• the need for a leap year.

• the changes in the seasons.

• the cycle of night and day.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

In Georgia, what season is it at point D?

• Summer

• Fall/Autumn

• Winter

• Spring

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Check out the image of Earth. The Northern Hemisphere is found above the equator (Points A and B) and the Southern Hemisphere is located below the equator (Points C and D). Here it is warmer in summer (C) than in winter (A), because in summer

• the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun.

• Point C gets more direct sunlight.

• the Earth is closer to the Sun.

• the days are shorter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

In Georgia, what season is it at point P?

• Summer

• Fall/Autumn

• Winter

• Springs

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What month during the year occurs at X?

• March

• June

• September

• December

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What month during the year occurs at W?

• March

• June

• September

• December

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6