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The Northern Hemisphere receives higher amounts of solar energy during one half the year than it does during the other half of the year. Which change happens during the year to explain this?Group of answer choicesThe distance of Earth from the sunThe angle that sunlight reaches EarthThe amount of energy produced by the sunThe angle that Earth is tilted on its axis

Question

The Northern Hemisphere receives higher amounts of solar energy during one half the year than it does during the other half of the year. Which change happens during the year to explain this?Group of answer choicesThe distance of Earth from the sunThe angle that sunlight reaches EarthThe amount of energy produced by the sunThe angle that Earth is tilted on its axis

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Solution

The change that happens during the year to explain why the Northern Hemisphere receives higher amounts of solar energy during one half of the year than it does during the other half is the angle that sunlight reaches Earth.

Here's why:

  1. The Earth is tilted on its axis by about 23.5 degrees. This tilt - combined with the fact that Earth orbits the sun - means that the sun's rays hit different parts of the Earth more directly during different times of the year.

  2. During the part of the year when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it receives more direct sunlight. The sun's rays are concentrated over a smaller surface area, so the energy is more intense and the temperature is higher. This is why we have summer.

  3. Conversely, during the part of the year when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it receives less direct sunlight. The sun's rays are spread out over a larger surface area, so the energy is less intense and the temperature is lower. This is why we have winter.

  4. The distance of Earth from the sun does change slightly due to its elliptical orbit, but this is not the main reason for the change in solar energy received. The amount of energy produced by the sun also doesn't change significantly.

  5. Therefore, the angle that sunlight reaches Earth - which changes due to the tilt of Earth's axis - is the main reason for the Northern Hemisphere receiving different amounts of solar energy during different parts of the year.

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