Deck 4: Earth-Sun Relationships

Question 1

Perihelion occurs during the Northern Hemisphere's:

A) fall
B) winter
C) spring
D) summer

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The seasons are caused by:

A) the elliptic orbit of the Earth around the sun
B) the date of the perihelion
C) the tilt of the Earth's axis
D) the relative distance between the Earth and sun

Answer 2

C

Question 3

On Dec. 21^st, the noon sun is directly overhead at:

A) 66.5° N
B) 23.5° N
C) the Equator
D) 23.5° S
E) 66.5° S

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The longest daylight period at the Equator is approximately:

A) 24 hrs.
B) 18 hrs.
C) 12 hrs.
D) 9 hrs.

Question 5

If the noon sun's declination is 10 degrees (from vertical) at a certain location at equinox, then its latitude would be:

A) 10
B) 35
C) 50
D) 65
E) 80

Question 6

Our planet and its organisms are sustained by _________.

A) energy from within the Earth's interior
B) energy from our star, the Sun
C) energy derived from the burning of fossil fuels
D) energy provided by solar wind

Question 7

In mid-June, parts of Alaska receive more insolation at the top of the atmosphere than Miami, Florida. This is explained by:

A) the sun's angle being higher in Alaska
B) the declination of the sun is less in Alaska
C) the daylight hours are much longer in Alaska
D) the Earth is spinning slower in Alaska

Question 8

High latitudes, like England and Scandinavia, receive the most insolation on clear days _____.

A) when the sun is directly overhead
B) at summer solstice
C) during equinoxes
D) on July 4^th

Question 9

In the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney, Australia's longest daylight hours occurs on:

A) the equinoxes
B) June 21^st
C) July 4^th
D) December 21^st
E) January 1^st

Question 10

In the Northern Hemisphere summer, the length of daylight increases:

A) from the equator poleward
B) from the North pole southward
C) only from the Tropic of Cancer northward
D) only from the Tropic of Cancer southward

Question 11

The midnight sun, or 24-hour daylight, occurs on June 22^nd ________.

A) south of the Antarctic Circle
B) north of the Arctic Circle
C) at the south pole only
D) at the north pole only

Question 12

The sun's tilt or declination migrates through _____ degrees.

A) 23
B) 30
C) 47
D) 66.5
E) 120

Question 13

The equinox:

A) is the longest day of the year at any given place.
B) is when the noon sun is over one of the tropics.
C) has twelve hours of day and twelve hours of night for all locations.
D) occurs once each year

Question 14

Insolation at the top of the atmosphere at the equator is greatest:

A) during equinoxes
B) during summer solstice
C) during winter solstice
D) at perihelion

Question 15

Our U.S. cities are warmer in July since the Earth is closest to the Sun at that time.

Question 16

Seasonality involves the variability of both hours of daylight and the altitude of the Sun.