Book 2, Question 127 · Video
Why Do We Have Seasons?
Why is it warm in summer and chilly in winter? Earth leans as it travels around the sun! Its tilt changes how direct the sunlight is where you live.
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do we have seasons?
The Big Idea
Why is it warm in summer and chilly in winter? Earth leans as it travels around the sun! Its tilt changes how direct the sunlight is where you live. When your half leans toward the sun, you get more direct light, and it is warmer. When it leans away, the light is weaker and slanted, and it feels colder.
Earth Tilts
Step one: Earth tilts. Earth's spinning axis is not straight up and down. It leans, like a tilted top. This lean stays pointed the same way all year long. The lean stays the same while Earth travels, and that is what creates the seasons.
It Orbits the Sun
Step two: Earth orbits the sun. Earth travels in a big circle around the sun, and one trip takes about 365 days. Because of the lean, different halves of Earth point toward the sun at different times. Long summer days also give plants lots of time to grow.
Summer: More Direct Light
Step three: summer. When your half leans toward the sun, the light hits more directly, and the days are longer. More direct light and longer days warm the air, so it feels like summer.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at the seasons! Earth tilts. It orbits the sun. In summer, your half gets more direct light. And in winter, your half gets weaker, slanted light.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! When you have winter, the other side of Earth often has summer. It is not because Earth is closer to the sun. The tilt is the reason. Spring and fall are in between seasons, with mild weather. Near the equator, the seasons change much less.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Look outside this month, and notice what time the sun sets. Write it down each week. Is the sun setting earlier or later? Can you explain how Earth's tilt changes the seasons?
Outro
Earth's tilt paints the year with seasons! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!