Because the earth turns daily on an axis that is tilted relative to
the plane of the earth's yearly orbit around the sun, sunlight falls more
intensely on different parts of the earth during the year. The difference
in heating of the earth's surface produces the planet's seasons and weather
patterns.
| NSES Content Standard D
Earth and Space Science: Earth in the Solar System Grades 5-8, page 161 The sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on the earth's surface, such as growth of plants, winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle. Seasons result from variations in the amount of the sun's energy hitting the surface, due to the tilt of the earth's rotation on its axis and the length of the day. |