why the tilt of axis causes summer to be warmer than winter in the northern hemisphere
i put because the rays of the sun strike the northern hemisphere more directly in the summer.
but it could also be because northern hemisphere is closer to the sun in the summer.
In terms of the total distance from the sun, how much closer would the northern hemisphere be?
Both of your explanations have some truth to them, but the main reason why the tilt of the Earth's axis causes summer to be warmer than winter in the Northern Hemisphere is due to the angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth's surface.
During the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth's axis is tilted towards the sun, which means that sunlight reaches the Northern Hemisphere more directly. This causes a more concentrated and intense amount of solar energy to hit the surface.
In contrast, during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun. As a result, sunlight reaches the Northern Hemisphere at a more oblique angle, and the same amount of solar energy is dispersed over a larger area. This leads to a weaker and less concentrated amount of solar energy reaching the surface, resulting in cooler temperatures.
To get a more precise understanding of how the tilt of the Earth's axis affects the amount of solar energy received in different seasons, you can consider a few factors and their effects:
1. Angle of sunlight: The angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth's surface changes with the varying tilt of the axis. When the axis is tilted towards the sun, the angle of sunlight is more direct, leading to warmer temperatures. In contrast, when the axis is tilted away, the angle of sunlight becomes more oblique, causing cooler temperatures.
2. Length of daylight: The tilt of the Earth's axis also affects the duration of daylight in different seasons. During the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the tilt causes longer days and shorter nights, leading to more time for the sun's energy to warm the surface. In contrast, during the winter, the tilt causes shorter days and longer nights, resulting in less time for solar heating.
It is important to note that the distance between the Earth and the sun does not significantly impact the difference in temperature between summer and winter. The Earth's orbit is slightly elliptical, and during the Northern Hemisphere summer, the Earth is indeed slightly closer to the sun. However, the effect of this distance variation is relatively small compared to the impact of the tilt of the Earth's axis.