Explain how seasonal climate variations are due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.
Question 20 options:
Seasonal climate variations are due to the tilt of the Earth's axis because it causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. The tilt of the Earth's axis is approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun.
When the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, a hemisphere receives more direct and intense sunlight, leading to summer in that hemisphere. This results in longer days and shorter nights, as well as higher temperatures. In contrast, when the Earth is tilted away from the Sun, a hemisphere receives less direct and less intense sunlight, leading to winter in that hemisphere. This results in shorter days and longer nights, as well as lower temperatures.
During the spring and fall equinoxes, the Earth's axis is neither tilted towards nor away from the Sun. This results in equal amounts of sunlight being received by both hemispheres, leading to milder temperatures and the transition between seasons.
The tilt of the Earth's axis also affects the intensity and duration of daylight hours. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, the Sun appears higher in the sky, leading to longer daylight hours. Conversely, when a hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, the Sun appears lower in the sky, leading to shorter daylight hours.
Overall, the tilt of the Earth's axis is responsible for the changing seasons and the variations in climate experienced throughout the year.