All Flashcards
Why is Earth's tilt important?
It causes the seasons.
What is the relationship between latitude and solar energy?
Lower latitudes receive more direct solar energy.
What happens during the summer solstice?
Longest day of the year; Earth's tilt is most directly towards the sun.
What happens during the winter solstice?
Shortest day of the year; Earth's tilt is most directly away from the sun.
What defines an equinox?
Day and night are approximately equal in length; tilt is neither towards nor away from the sun.
How does solar radiation affect different biomes?
Solar radiation affects biomes differently based on the season and latitude.
What happens to daylight hours in the winter?
Shorter days, longer nights, less direct solar radiation.
What happens to daylight hours in the summer?
Longer days, shorter nights, more direct solar radiation.
Why does the equator receive more solar radiation?
Solar radiation hits directly, resulting in more energy per unit area.
What happens to solar radiation at higher latitudes?
Solar radiation is spread over a larger area, leading to less energy per unit area.
What is solar radiation?
Energy from the sun.
Define latitude.
The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator.
What is an equinox?
Time when day and night are approximately equal in length.
What is a solstice?
Summer/winter; longest/shortest days of the year.
Why is the equator hotter?
Solar radiation hits directly, resulting in more energy per unit area.
Why are higher latitudes colder?
Solar radiation is spread over a larger area, leading to less energy per unit area.
What causes seasons?
Earth's tilt on its axis (about 23.5°).
How does tilt towards the sun affect temperature?
Longer days, more direct sunlight, warmer temperatures.
How does tilt away from the sun affect temperature?
Longer nights, less direct sunlight, colder temperatures.
What happens during the equinoxes?
Day and night are approximately equal in length; Earth's tilt is neither towards nor away from the sun.
What happens during the solstices?
Represent the longest and shortest days of the year; Earth's tilt is most directly towards or away from the sun.
Describe the relationship between solar radiation, latitude, and seasons.
Latitude affects the angle of solar radiation, which changes with the seasons due to Earth's tilt. This results in varying temperatures and day lengths.
Explain the impact of Earth's tilt on day length and temperature.
When a hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it experiences longer days, more direct sunlight, and warmer temperatures. The opposite occurs when tilted away.