A season is a period of the year characterized by specific weather conditions, like temperature and rainfall. Most places on Earth experience four seasons: spring, summer, autumn (or fall), and winter. These seasons cycle throughout the year.
Humans have observed and tracked seasons for thousands of years! Ancient civilizations relied on understanding seasonal changes for agriculture and survival. They developed calendars and festivals to mark the different times of the year.
The angle of the sun's rays relative to the Earth's surface can be described mathematically. The amount of solar energy received per unit area is proportional to the sine of the angle of incidence ($ \theta $):
$Energy \propto sin(\theta)$
When the angle is close to 90 degrees (direct sunlight), $ sin(\theta) $ is close to 1, meaning maximum energy. When the angle is smaller (more oblique sunlight), $ sin(\theta) $ is smaller than 1, resulting in less energy.
Seasons are a fascinating and important part of life on Earth! They are caused by the Earth's tilt and its orbit around the sun, affecting weather, plant growth, and animal behavior. Understanding seasons helps us appreciate the natural world and plan our activities throughout the year.
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