Understanding the Seasons Lab
SCO: To understand the relationship between the Earth and the sun and how this
relationship affects observable phenomenon on Earth, such as the seasons.
Students will reinforce their understanding by diagramming the Earth and sun
during different seasons.
1) Go to the following website http://mrscienceut.net/SeasonsWebQuest.html to
answer the questions below about the seasons. Use the sections entitled:
It’s the Tilt, Baby! Earth Location and Seasons and What’s Your Angle to
help you find the answers. DO NOT DO THE WEBQUEST ON THE
SITE! JUST USE IT TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:
a) Why do the seasons occur?
b) Explain the terms: summer solstice, winter solstice, equinox
c) Are we currently closest to the summer solstice, winter solstice,
vernal equinox or autumnal equinox?
e) What would the weather be like in Iqualuit right now? Why? Go
to the Weather Network webpage to find out what the actual
weather is really like in this place today: http://www.weather.ca/
f)
What would the weather be like at the equator right now? How
many seasons are experienced at the equator? Name them.
2) Draw three diagrams showing the relationship between the Earth and the
sun-one during the winter solstice, -one during the summer solstice, and
one during the equinoxes. **Read and Follow the instructions below
carefully. **
**There is a good example of this in your book on page 2**
Instructions
 On a piece of blank paper draw the earth with a diameter of 10 cm.
 Label North (N) on an angle of 23.5° from the axis.
 Label South (S) 180° from north.
 Label East (E) 90° from North and West (W) 270° from North.
 Draw a line from west to east which divides the earth in to two
hemispheres. Label this the equator. Label 0° latitude beside this line.
 Draw a parallel line 23.5° N from the equator. Label this the Tropic of
Cancer. Label 23.5° N beside this line.
 Draw a parallel line 23.5° S from the equator. Label this the Tropic of
Capricorn. Label 23.5° S beside this line.
 Draw a parallel line 66.5° N of the equator. Label this the Arctic
Circle. Label 66.5° N beside this line.
 Draw a parallel line 66.5° S of the equator. Label this the Antarctic
Circle. Label 66.5° S beside this line.
(YOU WILL NEED TO DO THIS THREE TIMES FOR EACH OF THE
SEASONS)
On each diagram, find the center of the earth and draw a line from the
center through each of the latitudes where the sun’s rays are at the subsolar point. (one for the winter solstice, one for the summer solstice and
one for the vernal equinoxes). Now draw a line that is perpendicular to the
sub-solar point to cut the earth in half. Color in the right half according to
the following instructions for each diagram (summer solstice-red, winter
solstice-blue and equinoxes-green)
 Give each diagram a title.