The variations in the angle at which the Sun's rays strike Earth's surface give us the seasons. Name four physical factors that contribute to the Earth's seasons. (Hint: Think of the big picture.)

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer:
(1) Earth has one source of illumination—the Sun.
(2) Earth's revolution around the Sun determines the length of the year and so determines the duration of the seasons.
(3) Earth's rotation on its axis determines day length.
(4) The tilt of the Earth on its axis of 23.5° allows for the variation of illumination according to latitude. During the equinox, all areas of Earth receive equal amounts of illumination. During the solstices, the different hemispheres receive a variation in the amount of illumination at mid- and high-latitudes. For the winter solstice, the north pole region is excluded from sunlight and the south pole receives sunlight. The opposite occurs for the summer solstice; the north pole region receives sunlight and the south pole does not.