Earth's Rotation & Revolution Notes for Section 2.1.1

Instructions for Notes As you listen to the EdPuzzle for Section 2.1.1, fill out the notes using this Wizer worksheet! Don't forget to stop and answer the questions! The Solar System Our solar system = 8 planets (including Earth) and many smaller bodies, all orbiting the sun– Sorry, folks – Pluto has been classified as a dwarf planet in 2006 – not a regular planet! It is one of many! Earth's Movement * Every planet rotates, or spins, on its axis* Axis: an imaginary line the runs through Earth’s center between the North and South Poles* It takes 24 hours to finish a complete spin on Earth’s axis °24 hours = 1 day, or rotation °365 ¼ days = 1 year, or revolution °As Earth rotates, different parts of the planet are in light or darkness The Sun and the Seasons • Earth is tilted 23 ½degrees on its axis• Seasons change as the Earth orbits around the Sun – When the Northern or Southern Hemispheres receive DIRECT RAYS from the Sun, they experience summer – When those hemispheres receive INDIRECT RAYS from the Sun, they experience winter – This is why hemispheres have opposite seasons• Winter in the Northern Hemisphere = summer in the Southern Hemisphere! UNDERSTANDING CHECK:It takes 24 _ for the earth to complete one rotation. hours days weeks It takes 1 _ for the earth to complete one revolution of the sun. day month year Winter in the NORTHERN hemisphere = _ in the SOUTHERN hemisphere. spring summer fall THINK IT THROUGH!Think about how the seasons are opposite in opposite sides of the hemisphere. How might this impact the way that people celebrate Christmas in Australia, which is in the southern hemisphere? Solstices Equinoxes: Summer Solstice •Four days mark the beginning of the four seasons:* Summer Solstice (June 21)* North Pole is tilted toward the Sun* Sun is directly over Tropic of Cancer (23 1 N)* Northern Hemisphere - longest day, shortest night (opposite in Southern Hemisphere) Solstices Equinoxes: Winter Solstice * Winter Solstice (December 22)* North Pole is tilted away from the Sun* Sun is directly over Tropic of Capricorn (23 1 S)* Northern Hemisphere - shortest day, longest night (opposite in Southern Hemisphere) Solstices Equinoxes: Spring Fall Equinox – Vernal (Spring) Equinox (around March 21) and- Autumnal (Fall) Equinox (around September 23) • Day and night of equal length • Sun shines directly over the Equator THINK IT THROUGH!Knowing what you do about the seasons being opposite in opposite hemispheres, if we experience our winter solstice in December, when do they experience their winter solstice in the southern hemisphere? FINAL QUESTIONS!What questions do you still have about Earth's rotation and revolution and its impact on the seasons? Drop them here!