Earth's Seasons and Milankovitch Cycles

The video explains how Earth's tilt relative to its orbital plane causes seasons. It discusses the variation of this tilt over millennia, known as obliquity, and its impact on climate. The concept of Milankovitch cycles is introduced, highlighting how changes in Earth's orbit and tilt can lead to long-term climate changes, including ice ages. The video also covers precession, the wobbling of Earth's axis, and its effect on the timing of seasons and the calendar.

What is the primary cause of Earth's seasons?

• The speed of Earth's rotation

• The tilt of Earth's axis

• The shape of Earth's orbit

• The distance from the sun

What is the current angle of Earth's tilt?

• 25.0 degrees

• 24.5 degrees

• 23.4 degrees

• 22.1 degrees

Over what range does Earth's tilt vary?

• 21.5 to 23.5 degrees

• 20.0 to 22.0 degrees

• 22.1 to 24.5 degrees

• 23.0 to 25.0 degrees

Who proposed the theory of Milankovitch cycles?

• Isaac Newton

• Milutin Milankovitch

• Albert Einstein

• Galileo Galilei

What is the term for the change in Earth's tilt over time?

• Rotation

• Precession

• Obliquity

• Eccentricity

How long does it take for Earth's precession to complete a full cycle?

• 100,000 years

• 41,000 years

• 26,000 years

• 10,000 years

What analogy is used to explain Earth's precession?

• A rotating disc

• A wobbling top

• A swinging pendulum

• A spinning wheel

How does precession affect Earth's seasons?

• It decreases the temperature of the seasons

• It increases the temperature of the seasons

• It alters the timing of the seasons

• It changes the length of the seasons

What other factors, besides precession, contribute to Milankovitch cycles?

• Changes in Earth's atmospheric pressure

• Changes in Earth's core temperature

• Changes in Earth's tilt and orbit shape

• Changes in Earth's magnetic field

What is the effect of combining precession, tilt, and orbit shape changes?

• It explains long-term climatic cycles

• It has no significant effect

• It causes short-term weather changes

• It stabilizes Earth's climate