Understanding Seasons

Instructions to teacher:

A globe is very helpful in discussing the sun’s rays reaching Earth. Be sure students understand that Earth’s angle of inclination does not change with respect to the plane of Earth’s orbit, i.e., on opposite sides of Earth’s orbit, the angles of inclination are parallel. You will want to discuss the solstices, equinoxes, and eclipses, also, before making this assignment. The following is available as a .pdf document.

Seasons of Earth

Name__________________________________________________ Period_____

1. In this assignment, you will draw the position of Earth relative to the sun for the different seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Label your drawing as summer, winter, fall, and spring.
2. What happens during an equinox?
   Draw an equinox; be sure to properly show the position of sun and Earth:
   What happens during a solstice?
   Draw a solstice, and label which one you drew:
3. Date of the vernal equinox___________________
   Summer solstice__________________
   Autumnal equinox_________________
   Winter solstice____________________
4. Draw the sun, Earth and moon during a solar eclipse:
5. Draw the sun, Earth and moon during a lunar eclipse:
6. Define these terms:
   Umbra
   Penumbra
   Rotation
   Revolution
   Solar Day
   Coriolis Effect
   Synchronous Rotation
7. Earth has a 23° tilt with respect to what?
8. What are the effects of Earth’s tilt?
9. What would be different if Earth’s tilt were 35°?
10. What would be different if Earth was not tilted?