7th Grade Open Ended Review for Benchmark 1

The Earth’s orbit is close to circular (only slightly oval or elliptical) so that the Earth is no significantly farther away from or closer to the Sun at any time during its orbit.

It is the tilt of the Earth on its axis that causes seasons.

Because the USA is facing away from the Sun in December, the Sun’s position in the sky is lower.

When the Sun in the sky is lower, the angle of incidence of sunlight is smaller spreading out the energy in a given area (more spread = less energy given to each spot).

Also the long nights and short days prevent us from warming up.

The higher the Sun is in the sky, the shorter the length of the shadows.  The lower the Sun is in the sky, the longer the shadow.

The Sun’s angle changes because the Earth is tilted on its axis.  As the Earth revolves around the Sun the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun in summer and away from the Sun in winter.

When the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun (in summer), the angle of the Sun is greater – causing shorter shadows.

When the Northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun (in Winter), the angle of the Sun is lower – causing longer shadows.

These websites will give you additional info if you get confused:
INTERACTIVE_WEBSITE:  https://owa.elizabeth.k12.nj.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=5af2621548fe4701af09db741cab3bf3&URL=http://www.livephysics.com/simulations/astronomy/sun-shadow-changes-with-seasons.html

EXPLANATION:  http://www.seaford.k12.de.us/es/vgray/planetary%20systems/Activity%2010%20Shadows%20and%20Seasons%20SG.doc

ACTIVITY:  https://owa.elizabeth.k12.nj.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=5af2621548fe4701af09db741cab3bf3&URL=http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chaco/HTML/TG-shadows.html

ACTIVITY & WORKSHEETS:  https://owa.elizabeth.k12.nj.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=5af2621548fe4701af09db741cab3bf3&URL=http://webs.wichita.edu/lapo/seasons.pdf