Seasons and Planetary Motion

What is a season?

• A period of time determined by the number of hours of daylight and darkness

• A period of the year with a certain level of temperature and type of weather

• The period of time in Earth’s orbit when Earth is nearest the sun

• The period of time in Earth’s orbit when Earth is farthest from the sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What causes temperatures in much of the Northern Hemisphere to be lower in winter than in summer?

• In winter rays from the sun strike the Northern Hemisphere most directly.

• In winter Earth is at the part of its orbit where it is farthest from the sun.

• In winter rays from the sun strike the Northern Hemisphere indirectly.

• In winter Earth rotates more quickly.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is the axial tilt of Earth?

• 23.5°

• 97.9°

• 122.5°

• 140°

Why don’t Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter have seasons?

• These planets do not orbit the sun.

• Each of these planets has almost no axial tilt.

• These planets are too far from the sun to be affected by its rays.

• These planets have nearly circular orbits.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Why are summer temperatures in the southern hemisphere of Mars higher than summer temperatures in the northern hemisphere of Mars?

• Mars has an almost circular orbit.

• Summer in the southern hemisphere occurs when Mars is at aphelion.

• Summer in the southern hemisphere occurs when Mars is at perihelion.

• The southern hemisphere receives indirect rays from the sun during summer.

Which two planets have the greatest axial tilts?

• Venus and Earth

• Earth and Uranus

• Earth and Pluto

• Uranus and Pluto

What is the axial tilt of Mars?

• 25.19°

• 23.5°

• 97.9°

• 140°

Why does Earth have different seasons?

• Because of the Earth's distance from the sun.

• Because of the Earth's axial tilt.

• Because of the Earth's circular orbit.

• Because of the Earth's rotation speed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What causes the seasons on Uranus?

• The planet's distance from the sun.

• The planet's axial tilt.

• The planet's nearly circular orbit.

• The planet's rotation speed.