earth and space Flashcards
What causes seasons on Earth?
Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt
Seasons are not caused by the distance from the Sun but by the tilt of Earth, which determines seasonal changes.
How does the axial tilt affect the poles during summer?
24 hours of daylight
The extreme tilt at the poles leads to continuous daylight in summer and continuous darkness in winter.
What are the characteristics of summer in the Northern Hemisphere?
Tilted toward Sun, warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours
What are the characteristics of winter in the Northern Hemisphere?
Tilted away from Sun, cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours
What is the relationship between summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere?
When North has summer, South has winter
Define rotation in the context of Earth’s motions.
Spinning on Earth’s axis
Rotation takes 24 hours to complete one full turn.
What is the time it takes for Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun?
365.25 days
What shape is Earth’s orbit around the Sun?
Elliptical orbit
What effect does revolution have on Earth?
Causes seasonal changes, determines year length, impacts solar energy received
How does the Sun appear to move across the sky?
Always rises in the East, always sets in the West
What are the characteristics of the Moon’s movement?
Rises in the East, shows same side to Earth, changes phases every 29.5 days, reflects sunlight
What is diurnal motion?
Daily movement of celestial bodies
Define equinox.
Moments when day and night are equal length
What is the axis of Earth?
Imaginary line Earth rotates around
What are solstices?
Longest and shortest days of the year
Fill in the blank: ______ determines seasons.
Tilt
Fill in the blank: The Sun moves best from ______ to ______.
East to West
Fill in the blank: It takes ______ to go around the Sun.
One year
Fill in the blank: ______ degrees makes seasons change.
23.5
