Earth's seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis (23.5 degrees) relative to its orbital plane around the Sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive more direct sunlight at different times of the year. The hemisphere tilted towards the Sun experiences summer, while the hemisphere tilted away experiences winter. Spring and autumn occur as the Earth transitions between these extremes. Remember, the distance of Earth from the sun has NO effect on seasons!
This worksheet is designed to solidify your understanding of this fascinating topic.
Match the terms with their definitions:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Solstice | A. The Earth's yearly path around the Sun |
| 2. Equinox | B. When the Sun's rays are directly overhead at the equator |
| 3. Axis | C. The imaginary line through Earth from pole to pole |
| 4. Orbit | D. The point when a hemisphere is most tilted toward the sun |
| 5. Hemisphere | E. Half of the Earth |
Answers: 1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A, 5-E
Complete the paragraph using the words: tilt, summer, winter, sunlight, seasons.
The Earth's _______ are caused by the _______ of its axis. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences _______. At the same time, the Southern Hemisphere experiences _______. This _______ distribution is why different parts of the Earth have different _______ at the same time.
Answers: seasons, tilt, summer, winter, sunlight, seasons
Explain in your own words why the seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are opposite.
Answer: The Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience opposite seasons because of the Earth's axial tilt. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it receives more direct sunlight and experiences summer, while the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away, receiving less direct sunlight and experiencing winter. Six months later, the Earth's orbit brings the Southern Hemisphere into a position where it is tilted towards the Sun, reversing the seasons. This effect is further because the earth is always pointed in the same spot as it orbits the sun. Therefore, axial tilt and orbital position cause opposite seasons.
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