PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.

School Year 2022-2023

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS
SCIENCE 7

Ms. Abegail B. Sergio

Teacher

LESSON 21: Seasons

WEEK: 37

DATE: May 15-19, 2023

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

Using models, relate:

1. the tilt of the Earth to the length of daytime
2. the length of daytime to the amount of energy received
3. the position of the Earth in its orbit to the height of the Sun in the sky
4. the height of the Sun in the sky to the amount of energy received
5. the latitude of an area to the amount of energy the area receives
6. tilt of the Earth and the seasons

Kindly read the following instructions:

1. Read the instructions carefully before starting anything.

2. Read each topic and answer all the activities and worksheets provided completely.

3. Manage your time well.

4. Take note of the following icons. These will serve as your guide as you go through the lesson:

This icon indicates the introductory part of the lesson.

This icon will direct you to the question that you need to process as you
go through the lesson.

This icon signifies that the succeeding part of the lesson contains
significant information that you need to read and analyze for better
understanding of the lesson.
This icon represents the part of the lesson that contains the significant
points that you need to remember.

You will see this icon in activities that need to be answered as a way of
checking your understanding of the lesson. Keep in the mind the page
number indicated for each activity.

The lessons are designed for you to have a better understanding about seasons. All the
information you will gain from this lesson, will help you answer why there are seasons and why
seasons change. An activity is provided for better understanding of the lesson.

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 PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
School Year 2022-2023
Let’s get started!

In elementary school, you have learned about the major members of our solar system. Like the other
planets, the Earth moves mainly in two ways: it spins on its axis and it goes around the Sun. And as the Earth
revolves around the Sun, the Moon is also revolving around the Earth. Can you imagine all these "motions"
happening at the same time? The amazing thing is we do not feel that the Earth is moving. In reality, the planet
is speeding around the Sun at 30 kilometers each second. (The solar system is also moving around the center
of the Milky Way!)
But even if we do not actually see the Earth or Moon moving, we can observe the effects of their
motion. For example, because the Earth rotates, we experience day and night. As the Moon goes around the
Earth, we see changes in the Moon's appearance.

Let’s pause for a while!

As you go through our lesson, think about these questions. What is the relationship of the seasons
with the position of the sun in the sky?

Let’s read and learn!

The earth is the only planet inhabited by man. It is unique because of its combination of an abundant
supply of liquid water, a strong magnetic field, and a particular atmospheric composition.

Distance of the Earth from the Sun

The Earth on average is 93 million miles away

from the Sun. Its orbit around the sun is elliptical, so
there are times that it is 2 percent nearer to the sun
(perihelion) and 2 percent farther from the sun
(aphelion). The diagram on the left shows these
distances.

Figure 1

The Size and Shape of Earth

About 2,000 years ago, a Greek philosopher named Eratosthenes was able
to estimate the size of the earth using his mathematical ingenuity. Basically,
modern scientists used the same method in getting such measurements. At sea
level, the earth's equatorial diameter is 729.6 miles (12,756.3 km) and its polar
diameter is 7,900.1 miles (12,713.6 km). What does this difference in measurement
suggest?
Scientists used the term oblate spheroid to accurately describe the shape of
the earth. An oblate spheroid is a sphere with flat poles and a bulging equator.
This distortion in shape can be attributed to the earth's rapid rotation.
Figure 2
How the Earth’s Motion Affects the Earth

To us here on the surface, the Earth seems to be steady and

immovable. However, do you know that every day and for one year, we
are traveling a distance of 940 million kilometers at the speed of
107,000 kilometers/hour without us consciously feeling and noticing it?

Planet Earth functions as the spaceship that brings us around the sun
in a counterclockwise direction (west to east). Such motion is called
revolution, and one complete journey around the sun takes 365 ¼
days. Because the orbit of planet Earth is elliptical, there are times
Figure 3 wherein Earth is nearer to the sun, about 147 million kilometers away
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 PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
School Year 2022-2023
(perihelion), and farther from the sun, about 152 million kilometers away (aphelion). Such variations in distance
affect the speed of planet Earth. At perihelion, Earth moves at its fastest speed in response to the sun's
gravitational force. As it moves away from the sun, the gravitational force of the sun retards, and Earth's speed
slows down until it reaches aphelion. The fast and slow motion is a natural rhythm, which Earth undergoes as it
revolves around the sun. Revolution causes changes in seasons.

As we ride this everlasting 940 million-kilometer trip, another simultaneous motion is also taking place.
The earth also spins in its axis like a top, also in a counterclockwise direction. The spinning motion of Earth in
space is called rotation. Rotation is completed in one day or in a span of 24 hours. The counterclockwise
motion of the earth is the reason why the sun seems to move across the sky rising in the East and setting in
the West, causing day and night cycles.

Factors that Determine Seasons on Earth

The shape of the earth is described as an oblate spheroid. An oblate spheroid

is a sphere with flat poles and a bulging equator. Because of the spherical shape of
the earth, there is uneven solar distribution. As sunlight strikes the earth's surface, the
part that faces the sun receives vertical rays, while the part that curves away from the
sun receives slanting or oblique rays.
The axis is the imaginary line that passes through the center of the earth. The
earth's axis is slightly inclined or tipped compared to the plane of its orbit by 23.50.The
inclination is maintained as the earth rotates and revolves. Consequently, this also
causes uneven solar distribution. As a result, at one time of the year, there are parts of
the earth that receive vertical rays from the sun, other parts receive slanting rays, and
still, other parts do not receive solar radiation at all.
Figure
4

Figure 5 Figure 6

The earth revolves in its orbit in a counterclockwise manner. As the earth revolves around the sun, the
sun’s rays seem to sweep from northward to southward and back within the year, causing the alternate change
in the position of the vertical and slanting rays of the sun. So that if in the month of June, Earth's axis is tilted
towards the sun, as the Earth revolves halfway in its orbit in the month of December, the Earth's axis is now
tilted away from the sun.

What’s the angle got to do with it?

Figure 7
“Directs rays” means that the rays of the Sun hit the ground at 90 o. The rays are vertical or
perpendicular to the ground. When the Sun’s rays strike the ground at a high angle, each square meter of the
ground receives a greater amount of solar energy than when the rays are inclined. This results in more heat
being absorbed by the Earth’s surface.
On the other hand, when the Sun’s rays come in at an oblique angle, each square meter of the ground
will receive a lesser amount of solar energy. That’s because, at lower angles, solar energy will be distributed
over a wider area. The place will then experience less heating up.
In the tropics, the warm season is due to the Sun’s rays hitting the ground directly. To an observer, the
position of the Sun at noon will be exactly overhead.

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 PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
School Year 2022-2023

Different Seasonal Phenomena

In June of each year, Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun. At this time of the year, the Tropic of Cancer
is located at 23.50 north) receives vertical rays from the sun. The rest of the parts of the earth receive slanting
or oblique rays. Areas beyond the Arctic Circle (located at 66.5 0 north) receive 24 hours of daylight. It is the
beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere. (People living in the northern hemisphere call this the
summer solstice.)
Conversely, areas beyond the Antarctic Circle (66.50 south) are in complete darkness for 24 hours. This
happens because the southernmost limit of the sun’s rays is at 66.50 South. It is the beginning of winter in the
southern hemisphere. It is in the month of June that we experience longer days than night and this is the
hottest season of the year for people living in the northern hemisphere.
By the month of September, the vertical rays of the sun sweep from the Tropic of Cancer to the equator
(00 latitude). The rest of the earth receives slanting rays. This month marks the beginning of autumn in the
northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. Everywhere on Earth, the length of day and night
is equal (called autumn or fall equinox).
By December, the earth reaches half of its path around the sun. The northern hemisphere is now tilted
away from the sun. The vertical rays of the sun now strike the Tropic of Capricorn (located at 23.5 0 south. The
northernmost limit of the sun's rays is at 66.5 0 north (Arctic Circle), so areas beyond the Arctic Circle
experience 24 hours of darkness. This marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere. During this
time, we experience longer nights than days (called winter solstice). It is then summer in the southern
hemisphere, and all the conditions are reversed.
As Earth continues to revolve, it reaches three-fourths of its path around the sun in the month of March.
As in the month of September, the vertical rays of the sun are again directly over the equator. It marks the
beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn or fall in the southern hemisphere. Again,
everywhere on Earth, the length of day and night is equal. (This time is called the vernal or spring equinox)
Thus, within a year, we experience two solstices and two equinoxes. This is attributed to the tilt of the
earth's axis that “changes” the sun's position relative to the earth’s equator, the earth's motion around the sun,
and the spherical shape of the earth.

After reading all the information provided, let’s answer the activity to check your understanding.

Let’s try this!

Answer Activity: Why Do Seasons Change?

Sources:
● Ferido, M. (2012). Science Grade 7 Learner’s Material. Pasig City: Department of Education- Bureau of
Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR).
● Madriaga, E. et. al. (2017). Science Links 7. Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.

● https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_weather.html

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 PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
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● https://www.divescotty.com/underwater-blog/amihan-habagat-monsoon.php

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

SCIENCE 7

Name: _______________________________________ Grade & Section: _______________

Week 37 Date: May 15-19, 2023

Activity: Why Do Seasons Change?

Directions: Analyze the diagram below. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Guide Questions:

1. What phenomena result from the tilting of the axis of the Earth?
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What season is experienced when the north pole or south pole is farthest or turns away from
the sun? How much energy is received by these areas? Describe the climate of these areas.
Describe the length of days and nights.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. What season is experienced when the north pole or south pole is leaning toward the sun? How
much energy is received by these areas? Describe the climate of these areas. Describe the
length of days and nights.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
School Year 2022-2023

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

SCIENCE 7

Name: __________________________________________ Grade & Section: _______________

Week 37 Date: May 15-19, 2023

4. In which part of the Earth does the sun strike the most? Least? What is its effect on climate
conditions?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. What is experienced when the sun’s vertical rays shine directly on the Earth’s equator?
Describe the length of days and nights. What marks the beginning of spring and autumn? In
which parts of the Earth and in what particular months of the year do these happen?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

6. What is experienced when the sun’s rays reach its northernmost and southernmost positions?
Describe the length of days and nights. What marks the beginning of summer and winter? In
what particular months of the year do these happen?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

7. How does the tiltation of the Earth affect the length of daytime?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

8. What is the relationship between the position of the Earth in its orbit and the sun's height in the
sky?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

9. When do solstices and equinoxes occur?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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 PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
School Year 2022-2023

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