Activity 03A

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________ Activity 3 A: Seasons The first cycle we are going to study is the cycle of seasons. Explaining why Earth experiences seasons is one of the most misunderstood concepts in astronomy. In this activity you will examine a variety of reasons for why we have seasons. Part 1: Using Gizmos to explore the Seasons . Use your stylus to write your answers on the lines provided 1. At what time of day is sunlight strongest – in the early morning (when the Sun has just risen) or at noon (when the Sun reaches its highest point)? _______________________________ 2. At what time of year does the noon Sun rise highest in the sky? ______________________ 3. Based on your answers, why is it warmer in summer than in winter? ___________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Gizmo Warm-up https://gizmos.explorelearning.com/ Open “Seasons: Why do we have them? The reasons for seasons have a lot to do with the angle at which the Sun’s rays hit Earth. To see why, select the PLATE tab on the Seasons: Why do we have them? Gizmo. The image shows a solar panel ( Plate M ) facing the Sun. Check that the Axis angle is set to 0˚. 1. Click Fire to release 100 “rays” of sunlight. Look next to “Number of hits” below the plate. How many of these rays hit Plate M ? _____________ 2. Click Reset . Change the Axis angle to 40˚, and click Fire . How many rays hit Plate M now? _____________ 3. Which do you think will warm up the plate more quickly? ( Circle one.)

A. Direct sunlight (sunlight that hits the plate at a 90° angle) B. Indirect sunlight (sunlight that hits the plate at an angle of less than 90°)