Seasons Study Guide
1. The definition for revolution is _one object going around another object______
2. Draw a picture that illustrates the definition for revolution:
3. The definition for rotation is ____an object spinning on its axis_____
4. Draw a picture that illustrates the definition for rotation.
5. How long is one rotation on Earth? ___24 hours or one day_____________
6. How long is one revolution on Earth? ______365 days or one year___________
7. What happens because of a planet’s rotation? ____day and night______
8. What happens because of a planet’s revolution? _____years and seasons___
9. Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky? because the Earth is rotating_
10. What force is keeping the planets in orbit around the Sun? ___gravity________
11. Which of these objects has the most gravity – Earth, the Sun, Mars? ____Sun___
Why? ______it is the biggest object_______________________________________
12. The path a planet takes around the Sun is called its ___orbit_________
13. What is the difference between indirect and direct sunlight?
Direct sunlight is more focused on a smaller area. Indirect sunlight is at
an angle and is more spread out. Direct sunlight creates warmer
temperatures than indirect sunlight.
14. Which direction (toward the sun/away from the sun) is the North Pole pointing when it is
summer for the Northern Hemisphere? _____toward the Sun____
15. When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere is receiving
direct sunlight
indirect sunlight
16. Why are the temperatures in the summer warmer than the temperatures in winter?
The temperatures are warmer because of the direct sunlight.
17. List the 3 reasons for the seasons.
1. Earth’s tilt
2. Revolution around the Sun
3. Direct and indirect sunlight
18. What causes the Northern Hemisphere to experience a winter season?
The Northern Hemisphere is receiving indirect sunlight which makes
the temperatures colder.
19. Label each Earth with the correct season for the Northern Hemisphere.
Spring
March 21
Winter
December 21
Summer
June 21
Fall
September 21
20 What causes the Earth to receive direct or indirect sunlight? __ the tilt of the Earth
21. How would our seasons be different if the Earth were not tilted?
We would always have the same season and receive the same amount of
sunlight for the entire year.
22. Why does Florida not have cold and snowy winters like we have in Virginia?
Florida is closer to the equator so they get more direct sunlight than
Virginia in the winter
23. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern
Hemisphere? Why?
It would be winter because the Southern Hemisphere is getting indirect
sunlight.