Download Causes of Seasons

Name: ________________________________ Period: ___________ Date: ___________
TOPIC 6-4: CAUSES OF SEASONS
Write true if the statement is true. If the statement is false, change the underlined term to make the
statement true.
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1. The earth is closest to the sun in July.
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2. The earth is farthest from the sun in July.
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3. The Northern Hemisphere is closest to the sun in the summer.
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4. The seasons are caused by the tilt of the earth’s axis.
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5. During the summer, the earth receives slanted rays from the sun.
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6. Direct rays produce more heat than slanted rays.
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7. The seasons in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern
Hemisphere are the same.
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8. During July, the Southern Hemisphere has winter.
Use the diagram to answer the following:
1. In which direction does the earth revolve around the sun? _______________________________
2. a. What season is the Northern Hemisphere having on December 21? ______________________
b. What season is the Southern Hemisphere having?____________________________________
3. a. What season is the Northern Hemisphere having on March 21? _________________________
b. What season is the Southern Hemisphere having? ___________________________________
4.
Does the Northern Hemisphere receive direct or slanted rays from the sun on June 21?____________
5.
Does the Northern Hemisphere have more daylight hours on December 21 or June 21? ________________
Answer the following questions. Write your answers in the space provided.
1. What does the term “solstice” mean?
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2. What does the term “equinox” mean?
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3.
How many hours of daylight does the Northern Hemisphere receive on the spring equinox?_____________
4. When does the summer stolstice occur in the Northerrn Hemisphere?
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5. How many hours of daylight does the North Pole receive on the summer solstice?
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6. How many hours of darkness does the South Pole have on the summer solstice?
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7. What does the vernal equinox begin?
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8. What is true of all places on the earth during the equinox?
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Use the diagram to complete the following:
1. The diagram shows the position of the earth in its orbit at the beginning of each season. Write the date for
each position of the earth in the spaces provided.
2. What season begins when the earth is at point A? _________________________________________
3. What season begins when the earth is at point B? _________________________________________
4. At which point is the earth when the summer solstice occurs? _______________________________
5. At which point is the earth when the autumnal equinox occurs? ______________________________