1. Reasons for the Seasons Environmental Science Chapter 13.1 Notes GraduateHavard GraduateHavard

3. Distance has NOTHING to do with Seasons!! In the winter, the Earth is 147,093,602 km away from the Sun. In the winter, the Earth is 147,093,602 km away from the Sun. In the summer, the Earth is 152,097,053 km away from the Sun. In the summer, the Earth is 152,097,053 km away from the Sun. The difference between the two is 5,003,451 km, (3.3 percent), and not enough to cause the seasons. The difference between the two is 5,003,451 km, (3.3 percent), and not enough to cause the seasons.

4. Reason for Seasons # 1 Polaris (North Star) As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the North pole tilts toward or away from the Sun.

7. Reason for Seasons # 2: Activity Materials: a flashlight, ruler, and some graph paper Procedures: 1. Darken the classroom and shine the flashlight directly at the graph paper (12 inches from paper). Count how many squares receive light. If a square is more than half lit count it, less than half, don't count it. (Hint: Draw a circle around the light portion of the graph paper and then count) 2. How many number of squares are lit?_______________ 3. Now shine the flashlight at the grid paper on an angle, but from the same distance (12 inches from paper). Again count the lit squares. 4. How number of squares lit? ______________

8. Reason for Seasons # 2: Activity Analysis Questions: 1. What happened to the light as you shined it on an angle? 2. If the same amount of light is spread out over more squares, what would happen to the energy received by each square?

9. Reason for Seasons # 2 During the summer, the Sun is high in the sky. Therefore, rays of light from the Sun hit us more directly, making the sunlight more intense and warmer. In winter, the Sun is low in the sky. The rays of light are spread more thinly (indirect), and they do not warm us as much. During the summer, the Sun is high in the sky. Therefore, rays of light from the Sun hit us more directly, making the sunlight more intense and warmer. In winter, the Sun is low in the sky. The rays of light are spread more thinly (indirect), and they do not warm us as much. Summer light Winter light Summer light Winter light

10. Reason for Seasons # 2 Indirect Energy Direct Energy

11. Reason for Seasons # 2

13. New Jersey

14. Earth's yearly revolution, month-by-month.

15. When is Spring coming?? Summer Solstice: 1 st day of summer in North Summer Solstice: 1 st day of summer in NorthJune Winter Solstice: 1 st day of winter in North Winter Solstice: 1 st day of winter in NorthDecember Fall Equinox: 1 st day of fall in North Fall Equinox: 1 st day of fall in NorthSeptember Spring Equinox: 1 st day of spring in North Spring Equinox: 1 st day of spring in NorthMarch Equinox – Equal day and Equal night. (12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night)

16. 2012 Spring Equinox: March 20 th Spring Equinox: March 20 th Summer Solstice: June 20 th Summer Solstice: June 20 th Fall Equinox: September 22 nd Fall Equinox: September 22 nd Winter Solstice: December 21 st Winter Solstice: December 21 st