Insolation and Seasons

Why does the area around the equator stay the same temperature all year?

• The equator rotates slower than the poles.

• The equator remains the same distance from the sun.

• The equator always receives direct sunlight.

• The equator has 18 hour days.

Answer explanation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What would seasons be like if Earth's axis were straight up and down?

• Seasons would be the same as they are with a tilted axis.

• Seasons would be more extreme.

• There would be no seasons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below to the left, which shows the tilt of Earth on its axis in relation to the Sun on one particular day. Points A through E are locations on Earth’s surface. Point D is located in Virginia. The dashed line represents Earth’s axis. On this day, which location has the greatest number of hours of daylight?

• E

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Base your answer to the following question on the diagrams to the left and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagrams, labeled A, B, and C, represent equal-sized portions of the Sun's rays striking Earth's surface at 23.5° N latitude at noon at three different times of the year. The angle at which the Sun's rays hit Earth's surface and the relative areas of Earth's surface receiving the rays at the three different angles of insolation are shown. As viewed in sequence from A to B to C, these diagrams represent which months and which change in the intensity of insolation?

• December March June; and decreasing intensity D)

• December March June; and increasing intensity

• June September December; and decreasing intensity

• June September December; and increasing intensity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

In New York State, the number of hours of daylight each day increases continuously from...

• March 1 to May 1

• June 1 to August 1

• September 1 to November

• ecember 1 to February 1

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Equal areas of which type of surface will reflect the most insolation?

• light gray rooftop

• dark tropical forest

• snow-covered field

• black paved road

The reason we have seasons on our planet is because...

• we are closer to the sun during the winter and further during the winter.

• the tilt of Earth's axis allows for more direct sunlight in the summer and less direct sunlight in the winter.

• seasonal wind patterns carry warmer winds during the summer and colder winds during the winter.

• the Earth's orbit becomes more like an oval to give us different seasons.

Tags

Seasons

As viewed in sequence from A to B to C, these diagrams represent which months and which change in the intensity of insolation (as seen from the Tropic of Cancer 23.5 N).

• December → March → June; and decreasing intensity

• December → March → June; and increasing intensity

• June → September → December; and decreasing intensity

• June → September → December; and increasing intensity

Tags

Seasons

Why is the Equator warmest?

• Because it is closest to the sun.

• Because it receives the most direct sunlight

• Because no clouds form here.

• Because it is far from the sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which diagram represents the sun in summer (direct heat energy)?

• Diagram A

• Diagram B

• neither diagram

• both diagrams

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1