1. Planet Earth Earth and the Sun’s Energy

2. Earth’s Movement Energy from the sun helps crops grow, provides light and warms the earth. The Earth requires this solar energy to survive. The amount any area receives at a given time is based on the revolution, rotation and tilt of the earth along with latitude and changes all of the time. Energy from the sun helps crops grow, provides light and warms the earth. The Earth requires this solar energy to survive. The amount any area receives at a given time is based on the revolution, rotation and tilt of the earth along with latitude and changes all of the time.

3. Rotation The Earth rotates on its axis. You can imagine a rod placed through the Earth from pole to pole like an axle on a wheel and the Earth spinning round the axle. One rotation is a complete spin of the Earth. As the Earth rotates, it seems as if the Sun travels around the Earth – however it don’t! The Earth rotates on its axis. You can imagine a rod placed through the Earth from pole to pole like an axle on a wheel and the Earth spinning round the axle. One rotation is a complete spin of the Earth. As the Earth rotates, it seems as if the Sun travels around the Earth – however it don’t!

4. Earth’s rotation

5. Rotation Earth’s rotation also explains the change from night to day. The half of the Earth that is facing the Sun experiences daytime and the opposite night. As a result, the level of solar energy on Earth is constantly changing. Earth’s rotation also explains the change from night to day. The half of the Earth that is facing the Sun experiences daytime and the opposite night. As a result, the level of solar energy on Earth is constantly changing.

6. Revolution As the earth spins, it also travels in orbit around the Sun. The orbit is not perfect and sometimes it is closer to the Sun and at times further away. It takes the Earth 365 ¼ Days to complete one revolution around the Sun. This is the basis of our calendar – leap year and all. As the earth spins, it also travels in orbit around the Sun. The orbit is not perfect and sometimes it is closer to the Sun and at times further away. It takes the Earth 365 ¼ Days to complete one revolution around the Sun. This is the basis of our calendar – leap year and all.

7. Revolution

8. Tilt The earth is tilted at 23 1/3 degrees from the vertical. This means that any one time, a given spot on the Earth is tilted away from the Sun and others towards it. Those tilting towards the Sun receive more energy and are warmer and those tilting away the opposite. The earth is tilted at 23 1/3 degrees from the vertical. This means that any one time, a given spot on the Earth is tilted away from the Sun and others towards it. Those tilting towards the Sun receive more energy and are warmer and those tilting away the opposite.

9. Latitude The distance north or south of the equator also affects the amount of solar energy a location receives. Those closer to the equator receive direct rays from the sun all year and tend to be warmer. Areas at higher latitudes tend to be colder – think Antarctica. The distance north or south of the equator also affects the amount of solar energy a location receives. Those closer to the equator receive direct rays from the sun all year and tend to be warmer. Areas at higher latitudes tend to be colder – think Antarctica.

10. Latitude and Temperature

11. The Seasons Many areas of Earth experience 4 distinct seasons. The seasons are based on temperature and length of day. In some areas, However, it is determined by amount of rainfall. Many areas of Earth experience 4 distinct seasons. The seasons are based on temperature and length of day. In some areas, However, it is determined by amount of rainfall.

12. Four Seasons on Earth

13. Winter and Summer Changes in seasons are created by the Earth’s tilt. As one pole tilts towards the Sun, it creates warmer temps and longer days, what we refer to as summer. Changes in seasons are created by the Earth’s tilt. As one pole tilts towards the Sun, it creates warmer temps and longer days, what we refer to as summer.

14. Winter and Summer Also because of the tilt, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres seasons are opposite each other. When it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, it is winter in the North. Also because of the tilt, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres seasons are opposite each other. When it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, it is winter in the North.

15. Spring and Fall As the Earth orbits the Sun, there are periods when the poles tilt neither toward or away from the Sun. This is Spring and Fall. As the poles begin to tilt toward the Sun, it is Spring. As the Earth orbits the Sun, there are periods when the poles tilt neither toward or away from the Sun. This is Spring and Fall. As the poles begin to tilt toward the Sun, it is Spring.

16. Spring and Fall And as they tilt away, we have Fall marked by shorter days and cooler temps. Solar energy is beginning to decrease. And as they tilt away, we have Fall marked by shorter days and cooler temps. Solar energy is beginning to decrease.

17. Rainfall and Seasons In the tropics region, those close to the equator, seasons are marked by the amount of rainfall, brought on by moist or dry air. In India, seasonal winds bring heavy rains called monsoons from June through October. Here, Hurricane season. In the tropics region, those close to the equator, seasons are marked by the amount of rainfall, brought on by moist or dry air. In India, seasonal winds bring heavy rains called monsoons from June through October. Here, Hurricane season.

18. Stay tuned tomorrow for … Water on Earth

19. The End