Chapter 2, Problem 22SEQ

Explain all answers clearly, using complete sentences and proper essay structure if needed. An asterisk (*) designates a quantitative problem, for which you should show all your work.

Seasons Scale. Figure 2.3 does not show Earth and its orbit to scale. Let’s examine how the figure would look if it did.

1. Use a ruler to measure the diameter of Earth’s orbit as shown in the figure (measure in the longest direction, since the perspective distorts the diameter in other directions). Then use the fact that the actual diameter of Earth’s orbit around the Sun is about km to determine the scale on which the orbit is drawn.
2. How large would Earth itself appear if drawn to the scale you found in part a? (Hint: Earth’s actual diameter is about 12,800 km.)
3. Suppose someone is trying to claim that it is summer whenever your hemisphere (either Northern or Southern) is closer to the Sun than the other hemisphere. Based on your answers to parts a and b, how can you refute their argument?