season
Definition
A season is a period of time that is marked by different weather patterns. The seasons are caused by the Earth's tilt on its axis and its revolution around the sun.
The Earth's axis is tilted by about 23.5 degrees. This means that the Earth's axis is not perpendicular to the plane of its orbit around the sun. As the Earth rotates around the sun, different parts of the Earth are tilted towards or away from the sun.
When the Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun's rays are more direct in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer, which causes the weather to be warmer. The days are also longer in the summer than in the winter.
When the Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun's rays are less direct in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter, which causes the weather to be colder. The days are also shorter in the winter than in the summer.
The seasons are also affected by the Earth's revolution around the sun. The Earth takes one year to revolve around the sun. As the Earth revolves around the sun, it travels through different parts of the solar system. The different parts of the solar system have different amounts of sunlight, which affects the weather on Earth.
How can the word be used?
The rainy season is a time for planting crops.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
- a period of the year characterised by particular weather conditions and activities.
- a time for a particular activity or event.
- a period of time for training or improvement.
Verb:
- to add flavour to (food) with salt, spices, or herbs.
- to make (something) suitable for a particular purpose or activity.
- to improve or develop (something) over a period of time.
Etymology
The word "season" comes from the Old French word "saison", which means "time of year".
The first recorded use of the word "season" in English was in the 13th century.
The word "season" is an Old French word, and it is related to the Latin word "sationem", which means "sowing".
Question
What season is your favourite and why?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Describe the factors that contribute to the changing of seasons on Earth and how they influence the climate in different regions.
Answer:
The changing of seasons on Earth is primarily influenced by two main factors: the tilt of the planet's axis and its elliptical orbit around the Sun. Earth's axis is tilted at about 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane, causing varying amounts of sunlight to reach different parts of the planet throughout the year.
As Earth orbits the Sun, the axial tilt results in different hemispheres receiving more direct sunlight during certain times. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summer, characterised by longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures. Conversely, when tilted away, the hemisphere experiences winter, with shorter days and cooler temperatures.
The elliptical shape of Earth's orbit further amplifies these seasonal differences. While the Earth is closer to the Sun (perihelion) during its orbit, it experiences winter in the northern hemisphere due to the tilt. Similarly, when Earth is farther from the Sun (aphelion), the northern hemisphere experiences summer.
These changing patterns of sunlight distribution significantly influence the climate in different regions. Near the equator, where sunlight is relatively consistent year-round, tropical climates prevail. Closer to the poles, the variations in sunlight contribute to more extreme temperature changes and the development of polar climates.