Seasonal variations on a planet's surface are caused by
A) clouds that periodically form and disappear as the planet orbits the Sun.
B) the tilt of the planet's spin axis with respect to the perpendicular to its orbital plane.
C) volcanoes that erupt periodically because of tidal interactions and obscure the atmospheres of planets.
D) the variation of the planet's distance from the Sun during its passage along its elliptical orbit.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tilt of a planet's spin axis relative to its orbital plane is the primary reason for seasonal variations on a planet's surface, as it causes different hemispheres to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.

Seasonal Variations on a Planet's Surface Are Caused by