The occurrence of seasons on the Earth is due to the
A)Earth being closer to the Sun in summer
B)Earth changing its rotation rate during the year
C)Earth's axis pointing in different directions during the year
D)Earth's axis being inclined to the ecliptic

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The occurrence of seasons on the Earth is due to the fact that the Earth's axis is inclined at an angle of about 23.5 degrees with respect to its orbital plane (ecliptic). This means that during the course of the year, different parts of the Earth receive different amounts of direct sunlight, causing the seasons to change. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summertime, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences winter. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, it experiences wintertime, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences summertime. This tilt, and its effect on the distribution of sunlight, is the reason we have seasons.

The Occurrence of Seasons on the Earth Is Due to the