Fourth Quarter – SCIENCE 7 "Direct rays" means that the rays of the Sun hit the ground at 90°.

quot; means that the rays of the Sun hit the ground at 90°. The rays are
Module 5: SEASONS
What causes our seasons?
We have seasons because Earth's axis – the imaginary line that goes through the
Earth and around which the Earth spins — is tilted. It's tilted about 23.5 degrees relative to
our plane of orbit (the ecliptic) around the Sun. As we orbit our Sun, our axis always points to
the same fixed location in space. Our northern axis points almost directly toward Polaris, the
North Star.
The Earth orbits around the Sun. The axis is always tilted and points to the North
Star no matter where Earth is in its orbit. Because of this, the distribution of the Sun's ray
changes. In June, in the northern hemisphere summer, the Sun's rays — and warmth —
reach all the way to the north pole. In December, in the northern hemisphere winter, the north
pole is tilted away from the incoming sunshine.
The fixed‖ tilt means that, during our orbit around our Sun each year, different parts
of Earth receive sunlight for different lengths of time. It also means that the angle at which
sunlight strikes different parts of Earth's surface changes through the year. Sunlight striking
the surface at an angle is ―spread‖ across a wider area compared to sunlight striking
perpendicular to Earth's surface. Areas that receive more scattered sunlight receive less
energy from our Sun. All of these factors combine to give Earth its annual cycle of seasons!
What is the effect of this tilt??
The axis of the Earth is not perpendicular to the plane of its orbit; it is tilted from the vertical
by 23.5 degrees. What is the effect of this tilt? In June, the North Pole is tilted toward the
Sun. Naturally; the Northern Hemisphere will also be tilted toward the Sun. The Northern
Hemisphere will then receive direct rays from the Sun (Fig. 2). When the Sun's rays hit the
ground directly, the place will become warmer than when the rays are oblique (Figures 4 and
5). This is why it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere at this time. But the Earth is not
stationary. The Earth goes around the Sun. What happens when the Earth has moved to the
other side of the Sun?
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 to 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. Which part of the
Earth oblique rays receives the direct rays of the Sun in December? As you can see in Figure
3, it is the South Pole that is tilted toward the Sun. This time the Sun's direct rays will fall on
lower angle the Southern Hemisphere. It will then be summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Thus, when it is cold in the Northern Hemisphere, it is warm in the Southern Hemisphere.
After another six months, in June of the following year, Earth will have made one
full trip around the Sun. The Sun's direct rays will fall on the Northern Hemisphere once more.
It will be warm in the Northern Hemisphere and cold in the Southern Hemisphere all over
again. Thus, the seasons change because the direct rays of the Sun shift from one
hemisphere to the other as the Earth goes around the Sun.
Figure 5. The cold season is the result of the Sun's the rays striking the ground at a
lower angle. To an observer, the Sun at midday will not be directly above; it will be lower in
the sky. Now you know one of the reasons why the seasons change. Sometimes the Sun's
direct rays fall on the Northern Hemisphere and sometimes they fall on the Southern
Hemisphere. And that is because the Earth is tilted and it goes around the Sun.
ACTIVITY: In your previous lesson, you encountered the Earth’s movement with
respect to the sun. Let us find out if you still remember it. Name the following pictures
using the words in the box below.
AXIS ORBIT MOON

REVOLUTION ROTATION SUN

After six months, in December, the North Pole will be pointing away from the Sun (Figure 1).
The Northern Hemisphere will no longer receive direct rays from the Sun. The Northern
Hemisphere will then experience a time of cold temperature. For temperate countries in the
Northern Hemisphere, it will be winter. In tropical Philippines, it is simply the cold season.

What's the angle got to do with it?

 other as the Earth goes around the sun.

5. Seasons greatly affects our lives. Which of the following is NOT correct when it is
summer?
A. Wearing light colors and thin shirts.
B. Wearing thick clothes.
ACTIVITY 3: Season to Season C. Going to beaches
D. Drinking cold beverages.
DIRECTION: All living things are affected by the varying seasons. It affects our whole life.
6. What does the earth's tilt cause?
List down at least five different activities you can do in the different seasons. A. Seasons B. Day and Night C. Tsunamis D. Earthquakes

WET SEASON DRY SEASON 7. Which part of the earth experiences summer in December and colder in June?
A. Northern Hemisphere since Sun is tilted towards it on June and December
1. 1.
B. Northern Hemisphere because it receives direct rays from the sun in December and
2. 2. lesser solar energy in June.
3. 3. C. Southern Hemisphere because it receives direct rays from the Sun in December and
4. 4. lesser solar energy in June
5. 5. D. Both Southern and Northern Hemisphere because they receive equal rays directed
from the Sun in December and June.

8. Which of the following best describes the tilt of the earth when it is summer in the
ASSESSMENT: southern hemisphere?
Directions: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the best A. The northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun
answer. Write your answer in one whole sheet of paper. B. The northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun
C. The northern hemisphere is tilted neither toward or away from the sun
1. Earth is tilted on its axis . D. The northern hemisphere has longer days.
A. 2.35⁰ B. 2.45⁰ C. 23.5⁰ D. 24.5⁰
9. Why does the area around the equator stay the same temperature year-round?
2. When it is summer in Southern Hemisphere, which of the following best describes the A. It receives the same amount of direct sunlight year-round
tilting of the Earth in the Northern Hemisphere? B. The northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun
A. towards the Sun C. The northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun
B. away from the Sun D. The northern hemisphere is tilted neither toward or away from the sun
C. towards or away from the Sun
D. neither toward nor away from the Moon 10. In which month is the North Pole tilted toward the sun?
A. April B. June C. July D. December
3. Earth’s seasons are caused by which of the following?
A. The varying amount of sunspot activity 11. In which month is the North Pole tilted away from the sun?
B. The rotation of the Earth during a 24- hour day A. April B. June C. July D. December
C. The Earth’s orbit around the Sun as an ellipse rather than a circle
D. The tilt of the Earth’s axis of rotation relative to the ecliptic as 12. Which month has the longest daytime in the year 2011?
Earth revolves the Sun A. January B. June C. August D. December

4. Why do Seasons change in the Philippines?
A. The sun is directed to the southern hemisphere only.
B. The sun is somehow tilted to both Northern and Southern hemispheres.
C. Seasons change because the Earth is stationary directing its rays to Northern
hemisphere always.
D. Seasons change because direct rays of the sun shift from one hemisphere to the
13. Which month has the shortest daytime in the year 2011?
A. January B. June C. August D. December
14. Which of the following is NOT the effect of a long day followed by a short night?
A. A longer hour of daylight means that the Sun is in the sky for a longer time.
B. There is a longer time to heat up the surface of the Earth.
C. A short night means there is a shorter time to cool down.
D. A short night means there is a longer time to cool down.

15. Direct rays mean that the rays of the Sun hit the ground at .
A. 45⁰ B. 90⁰ C. 180⁰ D. 360⁰