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(P. 19, question 10) Why does the change in sun angle over the course of the yea

ID: 154247 • Letter: #

Question

(P. 19, question 10) Why does the change in sun angle over the course of the year cause the mid-latitude seasons?

Sun is closest to the Earth in the summer

Equatorial regions are closer to the sun than polar regions

Lower sun angle tends to produce more clouds

Solar radiation is more concentrated in the summer

All of the above

Approximately how many daylight hours occur on the June solstice at 30°N?

A.

Sun is closest to the Earth in the summer

B.

Equatorial regions are closer to the sun than polar regions

C.

Lower sun angle tends to produce more clouds

D.

Solar radiation is more concentrated in the summer

E.

All of the above

Explanation / Answer

(P. 19, question 10) Why does the change in sun angle over the course of the year cause the mid-latitude season?

Answer: (D) Solar radiation is more concentrated in the summer.

Explanation: The amount of solar radiation received by the Earth's surface is determined by the sun angle. The change in the sun angle can effect on the climatic pattern, temperature change etc. on the Earth. Due to change in the sun angle in different seasons temperature variation occurs. The sun angle is increasing in winter and is decreasing in summer. Another fact is that the Earth is tilted on its axis by 23.5o . Now, spring and fall seasons passed quickly than summer and winter seasons. So during summer, solar radiation is more concentrated, so the change in sun angle over the course of the year cause the mid-latitude seasons. The mid-latitudes seasons mainly have long summers and long winters, but short fall and spring seasons.

Q. Approximately how many daylight hours occur on the June solstice at 30°N?

Answer: Approximately, 14 hours daylight occur on the June solistice at 30oN. During summer solstice, the Sun is located directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.5° latitude North. In maximum times, 21 June is the date of summer solistice i.e. longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, daylight hours may be nearly 14-16 hours in some places of Northern Hemisphere like United States.