QuestionWhat causes the sunlight to hit different latitudes on Earth at different angles?(1 point)Responsesthe Sun's rate of burning fuelthe Sun's rate of burning fuelthe Earth's speed of rotationthe Earth's speed of rotationthe Earth's tilt on its axisthe Earth's tilt on its axisthe Sun's distance from Earth
the Earth's tilt on its axis
The Earth's tilt on its axis is what causes the sunlight to hit different latitudes on Earth at different angles. This tilt is approximately 23.5 degrees and it remains constant throughout the year. As the Earth orbits around the Sun, this tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight, resulting in the changing seasons.
The correct answer is the Earth's tilt on its axis. The Earth is not perfectly upright but tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees. This tilt is what causes the sunlight to hit different latitudes on Earth at different angles.
To understand why this happens, let's consider how the Sun's rays reach the Earth. The Sun emits light in all directions, and this light travels in straight lines called rays. When the Earth is tilted, different parts of the Earth's surface receive sunlight at different angles.
During the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun. This means that sunlight hits the Northern Hemisphere at a more direct angle, causing the rays to be concentrated over a smaller area. This results in warmer temperatures and longer days in the Northern Hemisphere.
On the other hand, during the winter solstice, which occurs around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun. This causes sunlight to hit the Northern Hemisphere at a more indirect angle, spreading out the rays over a larger area. This leads to colder temperatures and shorter days in the Northern Hemisphere.
The opposite occurs in the Southern Hemisphere, with the summer and winter seasons reversed due to the Earth's tilt.
To determine the angle at which sunlight hits a specific latitude on Earth, you can use different tools and techniques. One common approach is to use an astrolabe or a sundial to measure the angle of the Sun's rays at a particular time of day. Additionally, mathematical models and computer simulations can also be used to calculate the angle of sunlight at different latitudes, accounting for the Earth's tilt and its movement around the Sun.