Why December Has The Longest Days

The video explains how the Earth's tilt and elliptical orbit affect the length of a solar day. It describes how the Earth's rotation and orbit around the Sun require more than 360 degrees of rotation for a solar day. The Earth's elliptical orbit and tilt cause variations in day length, with the longest solar day occurring on December 22nd. The video also discusses the difference between solar time and clock time, explaining why the earliest sunset and latest sunrise do not coincide with the solstice.

What is a solar day?

• The time it takes for a line of longitude to face the Sun again.

• The time it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun once.

• The time between two consecutive sunrises.

• The time it takes for the Earth to rotate 360 degrees.

Why does the Earth need to rotate more than 360 degrees for a solar day?

• Because the Earth is tilted on its axis.

• Because the Earth is moving around the Sun.

• Because the Earth's orbit is perfectly circular.

• Because the Earth rotates faster at night.

How does the Earth's elliptical orbit affect the length of a day?

• It makes the day longer when the Earth is closer to the Sun.

• It makes the day shorter when the Earth is closer to the Sun.

• It has no effect on the length of a day.

• It makes the day longer when the Earth is farther from the Sun.

What happens when the Earth's tilt points towards or away from the Sun?

• The Earth's day length shortens by 21 seconds.

• The Earth's orbit becomes more circular.

• Narrower slices of longitude are aimed directly at the Sun.

• The Earth rotates slower.

Why does solar noon shift around the Solstice?

• Because the Earth's axial tilt changes.

• Because extra seconds are added to each day.

• Because the Earth's orbit is perfectly circular.

• Because the Earth's rotation speed changes.