Mrs. Sumerix



Activity: What Causes Seasons on Earth? for Setup: Mark three inches to the right and left from the central axis of the North Pole (90° N) with masking tape. This will represent the natural 23.5° tilt of the Earth.Next, mark three locations along the same longitude across the various latitudes in the tables below with masking tape.Carefully place the heat lamp in a secure spot six inches away from the center of the globe (as seen in Figure 1). Record temperature by pointing the temperature reader at all designated spots after the 5-minute mark.To ensure accurate readings, take a 1 minute pause and allow globe to cool before recording data in subsequent tables. Safety:Exercise extreme caution when using heat lamps. They get very hot!!!Do not touch them without an oven mitt. 476262952756 inches6 inches21082001041400Part A: In this part of the investigation you will be collecting data on how the temperature at different at different latitudes is affected by the changing position of the Earth with respect to the Sun. North Pole Tilted Toward SunInitial Room Temp: _________Latitude Final Temp at 5 Min45?Nequator (0?)45?SNorth Pole Tilted Away From SunInitial Room Temp: _________Latitude Final Temp at 5 Min45?Nequator (0?)45?SNo Tilt Away Or Toward SunInitial Room Temp: _________Latitude Final Temp at 5 Min45?Nequator (0?)45?SWhat do you notice about the way the temperature changes at different latitudes? What do you think is causing those temperature changes?Part B: The diagram below shows the Earth at four different dates of the year and the average temperature in Fairview. Examine the diagram and use the information it provides to fill in the data table below.12763531115SunDec 21Jun 21 Mar 20 Sept 2291.4 million miles94.5 million miles93 million miles93 million miles avg high temp: 40 Favg high temp: 32 F avg high temp: 80 Favg high temp: 70 F00SunDec 21Jun 21 Mar 20 Sept 2291.4 million miles94.5 million miles93 million miles93 million miles avg high temp: 40 Favg high temp: 32 F avg high temp: 80 Favg high temp: 70 FTime of Year Season Average TempDistance Between Earth and the SunDec 21March 20June 21Sept 22What do you notice in the data? Can you reach any conclusions about the factors that cause seasons based on the data?Part C: In this section, we will recreate the Sun’s rays as they interact with our Earth. Observe and note the spread of light at different latitudes across the globe. Instructions:Hold a flashlight parallel to the floor, 3-6 inches away from the globe, and point the light at all latitude points listed in the table below. Notice the concentration and intensity of the light and record your observations below. The lights in the room can be dimmed to notice the effects further.LatitudeObservations of the Spread of Light90oN45oN0o45oS90oSDo you think the amount of light coming out of the flashlight changed?Where on the globe was the light most concentrated (least spread out)? Why do you think that is?Where on the globe was the light least concentrated (most spread out)? Why do you think that is?Compare your observations from Part C with your temperature data from Part A. What is the relationship between the spread of light and temperature? Cite evidence from the investigation to support your thinking.As the spread of light increases the temperature ____________________As the spread of light decreases the temperature ____________________See-Think-Wonder SeeWhat did you observe?ThinkWhat does each observation make you think?WonderWhat questions do you have about each observation?What latitude(s) were the warmest?What latitude(s) were the coldest?What do you think explains these observations?Where on the Earth was light least spread out?Where on the Earth was light most spread out?What does this make you think about the relationship between spread of light and heat absorbed?4038601273810Fairview, MI00Fairview, MI129540126555500Part D: Below is a world map with markers on New York, USA and Melbourne, Australia. Examine the average monthly temperature graphs for New York, USA and Melbourne, Australia. Then, use the information on the graphs fill in the data table below the graphs.-238124238125City: Fairview, USA Lat: 44°-13017529083000City: Melbourne, Australia Lat: 38°S Historical Average Monthly Temperature DataCityWarmest MonthColdest MonthFairviewMelbourneWhat surprises you most about the data?The world map below has an additional marker for Quito, Ecuador. Examine the average monthly temperature graph below for Quito, Ecuador and compare it to the graphs for Fairview and Melbourne. What surprises you about the data?533400932180Fairview, MI020000Fairview, MI353060924560-195262114300City: Quito, Ecuador Lat: 0° (Equator)19051114300In order to better understand the way the Sun’s rays hit the Earth’s surface at different locations throughout the year, you will make observations from an interactive simulator. Carefully examine the diagrams with annotations below so that you have some familiarity with the simulator before using it.5010150276225Drag the stick figure to change the location of the observer.Drag the stick figure to change the location of the observer.109537521907537528502190755172075209550Click on ‘labels’ to reveal the labels of different points on Earth.Click on ‘labels’ to reveal the labels of different points on Earth. 4752975238125 4410075180975This tells you the exact day of the year shown in the simulator.This tells you the exact day of the year shown in the simulator.111049005172075247650525303855245047529751000125You can start and stop the simulation by clicking here.You can start and stop the simulation by clicking here.-3047991000125You can control the animation by dragging this arrow to a specific date.You can control the animation by dragging this arrow to a specific date.6572255524501047750190500-190499285750These arrows give you a visual of the angle at which sunbeams are hitting the Earth’s surface at different locations. These arrows give you a visual of the angle at which sunbeams are hitting the Earth’s surface at different locations. 5019675200025‘sun’s altitude’ tells you the angle of the Sun’s rays at the observer’s latitude. ‘sun’s altitude’ tells you the angle of the Sun’s rays at the observer’s latitude. 4410075285750657225257175114300304800Click ‘sunbeam spread’ to see this window that shows the spread of the Sun’s beams.Click ‘sunbeam spread’ to see this window that shows the spread of the Sun’s beams.1095375249725885825123825340995012096755076825266700This yellow circle shows how spread out the Sun’s beams are at any given angle. This yellow circle shows how spread out the Sun’s beams are at any given angle. Click on the Seasons and Ecliptic simulator. Play with the simulator for 3 minutes and note any observations, thoughts, and wonderings you have below.Use the simulator to collect data for Fairview, Melbourne, and Quito and fill in the three tables below. Before collecting data for each city, be sure that you move the stick figure so that the ‘observer’s latitude’ matches the latitude for that city.4619625546100City: Fairview, USA Latitude: 44°N DateEarth’s TiltLook at the left side of the sim screen. Is the north pole tilted toward or away from the Sun?Angle of Sun’s RaysWhat is the angle at which the Sun’s rays are hitting the Earth’s surface?Draw them!Spread of Sun’s RaysJune 21Angle: _____°27622522520347626119063600075581025Sept 22neitherAngle: Dec 21Angle: March 20neitherAngle: of 4664075146050City: Melbourne, Australia Latitude: 38°S DateEarth’s TiltLook at the left side of the sim screen. Is the north pole tilted toward or away from the Sun?Angle of Sun’s RaysWhat is the angle at which the Sun’s rays are hitting the Earth’s surface?Draw them!Spread of Sun’s RaysJune 21Angle: 3810147626Sept 22Angle: Dec 21Angle: March 20Angle: 4638675127000City: Quito, Ecuador Latitude: 0° (equator)DateEarth’s TiltLook at the left side of the sim screen. Is the north pole tilted toward or away from the Sun?Angle of Sun’s RaysWhat is the angle at which the Sun’s rays are hitting the Earth’s surface?Draw them!Spread of Sun’s RaysJune 21Angle: 3810147626Sept 22Angle: Dec 21Angle: March 20Angle: See-Think-Wonder SeeWhat did you observe?ThinkWhat does each observation make you think?WonderWhat questions do you have about each observation?How did the angle of the Sun’s rays change throughout the year?How do you think this relates to seasons?How did the Earth’s revolution around the Sun affect its position in relation to the Sun? ................
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