Multiple Choice
Which of the following explains why seasonal conditions vary in different parts of the world?
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8. Centripetal Forces & Gravitation
Newton's Law of Gravity
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What is the primary cause of the seasons on Earth according to Newton's Law of Gravity?
A
The varying distance between Earth and the Sun during the year
B
The rotation of Earth on its axis
C
The tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun
D
The gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth
Verified step by step guidance1
Begin by understanding the concept of Earth's axial tilt. Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun.
Recognize that this tilt is responsible for the variation in sunlight received at different times of the year, leading to the seasons.
Consider how the tilt affects the intensity and duration of sunlight in different hemispheres. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summer, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences winter, and vice versa.
Understand that the varying distance between Earth and the Sun during the year has a minimal effect on the seasons. The axial tilt is the primary factor.
Newton's Law of Gravity explains the gravitational forces between Earth and the Sun, but it is the axial tilt that primarily causes the seasonal changes, not the gravitational pull of the Moon or Earth's rotation on its axis.
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