January
Definition
January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It is a month of transition, as the Northern Hemisphere moves from winter to spring. January is also a time for new beginnings, as people set goals and resolutions for the new year.
How can the word be used?
January is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts.
Different forms of the word
The word "January" has a few different forms:
Jan: This is the most common short form of the word "January".
Jan.: This is the abbreviation for the word "January".
Janu: This is a less common short form of the word "January".
Janvier: This is the French word for "January".
Etymology
The word "January" comes from the Latin word Ianuarius, which was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. Janus was depicted as having two faces, one facing the past and one facing the future. This reflected the idea that January was a month of new beginnings and new possibilities.
Question
What months come before and after January?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the scientific reasons behind the variation in day length and temperature during the month of January in the Northern Hemisphere. Include the concepts of axial tilt and solar radiation in your explanation.
Answer:
The variation in day length and temperature during the month of January in the Northern Hemisphere can be attributed to the Earth's axial tilt and its orbit around the Sun. The axial tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to experience winter during this time.
In January, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, leading to shorter days and reduced solar radiation. As the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path, its distance from the Sun also plays a minor role in the temperature variation.
During this period, the Sun's rays strike the Northern Hemisphere at a more oblique angle, leading to less concentrated solar energy. This results in cooler temperatures as the solar energy is spread over a larger area.
The combination of shorter days and the lower angle of solar radiation leads to decreased heat absorption by the land and oceans, causing temperatures to drop. This phenomenon, driven by the Earth's axial tilt and its elliptical orbit, creates the distinct winter conditions observed in January.
Understanding the intricate relationship between Earth's axial tilt, its orbital path, and solar radiation is fundamental to comprehending the changing seasons and temperature variations experienced across different months of the year.