Use this sentence: Earth is closest to the sun in January when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
How is this possible?
(1 point)
Responses
The sun is heating the Northern Hemisphere more in winter, but it takes awhile for it to heat up.
The sun is heating the Northern Hemisphere more in winter, but it takes awhile for it to heat up.
The sun is smaller during the winter months.
The sun is smaller during the winter months.
The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.
The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.
It heats up to a higher temperature during the day, but it still ends up colder because the days are shorter.
The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.
The correct response is:
The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.
The correct response to explain how the sentence is possible is:
The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.
Explanation:
The Earth's orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. This means that at certain points in its orbit, the Earth is closer to the sun, while at other points it is farther away. The distance between the Earth and the sun is not the main factor that determines the seasons.
Instead, it is the tilt of the Earth's axis that causes the change in seasons. During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun. This results in less direct sunlight reaching the Northern Hemisphere, leading to colder temperatures.
In January, when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is actually closest to the sun in terms of its orbit. However, since the angle at which the sun's rays strike the Earth is more important, the Northern Hemisphere receives less direct sunlight despite being closer to the sun.
Therefore, while it may seem counterintuitive, the Earth being closest to the sun in January does not mean that it is warmer or summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The angle of sunlight and the tilt of the Earth's axis play a bigger role in determining the seasons.