Lab 05
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Jan 9, 2024
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Lab 05 – Why We Have Seasons
Question 1:
The table below contains entries for the coordinates for the sun on the
ecliptic as well as the latitude at which the most direct and least direct rays of the sun
are hitting. Use the simulation to complete the table.
Date
RA
DEC
Latitude of Most
Direct Rays
Latitude of Least
Direct Rays
February 5
21.3h
-15.8
14.6 S
73.9 N
March 21
23.9h
0
0.7 S
89.7 N
May 5
2.9 h
+16.5°
16.5° N
73.5° S
June 21
6.1h
+23.4
24.0 N
65.7 S
August 5
9.2h
+16.3
15.8 N
72.4 S
September 21
12.1h
-0.6
0.1 N
88.8 S
November 5
14.6h
-16.6
16.8 S
72.0 N
December 21
18.1h
-23.4
23.5 S
63.2 N
Question 2:
Using the data in the table above, formulate general rules relating the
declination of the sun to the latitude where the most direct and least direct rays of the
sun are hitting.
Answer
: In the summer, direct sunlight is more intense in the north than in the south,
but in the winter, the opposite is true.
Question 3:
The region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is
commonly known as the tropics. Using the sunlight data table from question 1, define
the significance of this region.
Answer
: Direct sunlight may fall on any of these two places at any time of day.
Question 4:
Using the sunlight data table from question 1, define the significance of
the region north of the Arctic Circle commonly referred to simply as the Arctic.
Answer
: In the summer (June to August), only sunshine is present.
Question 5:
Use the simulator to complete the table below.
For each latitude, write a
short paragraph which describes the variations in sunlight (seasons) that are
experienced at this latitude throughout the year.
Latitude
Description of Yearly Pattern of Sunlight
0°
The noon sun’s angular height above the horizon ranges from 90° on
the vernal equinox, to 66.5° on the summer solstice, to 90° on the
autumnal equinox, and back to 66.5° on the winter solstice. Thus, the
equator always receives very direct intense sunlight throughout the
year which accounts for the very high temperatures.
23.5° N
The height of the sun is approximately 65.9 degrees on the spring equinox,
89.7 degrees on the summer solstice, 65.3 degrees on the autumnal equinox,
and finally 42.9 degrees on the winter solstice. It follows that summertime
brings more sunshine to the tropic of cancer.
41° N
On the spring equinox, the sun is at its highest point, 79.6, then at the summer
solstice, 71.8, the autumnal equinox, 47.9, and finally the winter solstice,
25.0. As a result, spring and summer receive more sunshine.
66.5° N
The height of the sun is approximately 22.7 on the spring equinox, 46.5 on the
summer solstice, 22.5 on the autumnal equinox, and finally -0.3 on the winter
solstice. This implies that throughout the summer, the Arctic receives more
sunlight
90° N
On the vernal equinox, the sun is at a height of around -0.0, at 23.4 on the
summer solstice, -0.6 on the autumnal equinox, and at -23.4 on the winter
solstice. So, during the summer, the north pole receives more sunshine.
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