Observing Patterns of the Sun
Learning text on the topic Observing Patterns of the Sun
Daylight During the Year - Introduction
Have you noticed how some days are longer and some are shorter? This is seasonal, and how long your days are in certain seasons depends on where you live! Today we're going to find out why this happens and how it changes with seasons.
What is Daylight?
Daylight is the light we get from the sun during the day. The length of daylight you get depends on where you live, and the season it is.
The amount of daylight changes throughout the year. It depends on where Earth is on its journey around the Sun and the tilt of Earth’s axis; an imaginary pole that goes through the Earth. It is important to know that the sun does not move. It is the Earth that makes the journey around the sun.
Why Daylight Changes
Daylight changes because Earth is tilted on its axis as it moves around the Sun. This tilt causes different parts of Earth to get different amounts of sunlight at different times of the year. Depending on which hemisphere you live in—northern or southern—the effects of the tilt change when you experience summer and winter.
| Hemisphere | Season | Tilt Relative to the Sun | Daylight | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Hemisphere | Summer | Tilted towards the Sun | More daylight | June - August |
| Northern Hemisphere | Winter | Tilted away from the Sun | Less daylight | December - February |
| Southern Hemisphere | Summer | Tilted towards the Sun | More daylight | December - February |
| Southern Hemisphere | Winter | Tilted away from the Sun | Less daylight | June - August |
As you might notice from the table, Summer is when you will always have more daylight as the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, and Winter is when you will experience less daylight as the Earth is tilted away from the Sun.
Let’s test your understanding so far!
How Daylight Changes Affect Us
Changing daylight doesn't just mean different bedtimes! It affects animals, plants, and even us.
Summer
Effects on Humans: In the summer, the longer days allow us to spend more time outdoors. We can enjoy activities like swimming, playing in parks, and just soaking up the sun. It's a season for vacations and enjoying the warmer weather.
Effects on Animals: Animals are particularly active during the summer months. They use the extended daylight to forage for food and take care of their young. This is a critical time for building up energy reserves and for growth in many species.
Effects on Plants: Plants thrive in the summer due to the abundance of sunlight. This is their main growing season when they can grow for longer periods. The warm weather and increased daylight help plants produce the energy they need to grow and reproduce.
Winter
Effects on Humans: Winter's shorter days mean we spend more time indoors. This season is often marked by holiday celebrations and gathering indoors where it's warm. Some people love to do activities outdoors, such as sledding, skiing, and other winter sports.
Effects on Animals: Many animals hibernate or enter a state of reduced activity during the winter. They do this to conserve energy when food sources are scarce and temperatures drop. Animals like bears, bats, and some rodents hibernate; which means to enter a state of rest.
Effects on Plants: During winter, many plants enter a state of rest too, which is known as dormant. Their growth slows down a lot, and they save energy by shedding leaves and halting growth. This is a survival strategy to withstand the cold and lack of sunlight until spring returns.
Daylight Science Experiment
Let’s see how daylight changes with a fun experiment!
How Well Do You Understand Daylight Changes?
Test your knowledge with this little quiz!
Daylight During the Year – Summary
Key Learnings from this Text:
- Daylight changes throughout the year because of Earth's tilt and its orbit around the Sun.
- We experience more daylight in summer and less in winter.
- These changes affect plants, animals, and our daily activities.
| Hemisphere | Season | Tilt Relative to the Sun | Daylight | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Hemisphere | Summer | Tilted towards the Sun | More daylight | June - August |
| Northern Hemisphere | Winter | Tilted away from the Sun | Less daylight | December - February |
| Southern Hemisphere | Summer | Tilted towards the Sun | More daylight | December - February |
| Southern Hemisphere | Winter | Tilted away from the Sun | Less daylight | June - August |
Keep exploring and noticing how daylight changes in your own life as the seasons change! You should check out similar learning texts such as identifying patterns of the sun, moon, and stars and observing patterns of the moon.
Daylight During the Year – Frequently Asked Questions
Observing Patterns of the Sun exercise
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How much daylight do these seasons have?
HintsThink about summer time, do the days feel longer than in winter?
Think about which season has shorter days and less time to play outside.
SolutionWe experience more daylight in the summer.
We experience less daylight in the winter.
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Why do we have more daylight in the summer?
HintsSomething about the Earth's position changes in the summer.
The days get longer in the summer as the Earth moves and leans towards the Sun.
SolutionWe have more daylight in summer because part of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun.
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What is the name of the imaginary pole that goes through the Earth?
HintsDaylight changes because the Earth is tilted on this imaginary pole.
This imaginary line runs through the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole.
SolutionThe imaginary pole that goes through the Earth is called the axis.
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What do plants, animals, and people do in summer and winter because of the different amounts of daylight?
HintsThink about what you do when it's hot in summer and what you do when it's cold in winter.
Which season helps plants grow and which season makes them rest?
SolutionSummer
- People like to spend time outdoors.
- Animals are more active and forage for food.
- Plants grow more when there is lots of sunlight.
Winter
- People spend more time indoors.
- Animals hibernate or are less active.
- Plants enter a state of rest or dormancy.
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Read the statement and decide if it is true or false.
HintsEvery year the Earth moves around something.
The sun is in the middle of our solar system and all the planets orbit (move around) it.
SolutionFalse, the Earth moves around the Sun.
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Can you match the correct summer and winter months with the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
HintsWhich months have longer daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere?
The USA is in the Northern Hemisphere, think about when you have summer and winter vacations.
SolutionIn the Northern Hemisphere, summer is from June - August and winter is from December - February.
In the Southern Hemisphere, summer is from December - February and winter is from June - August.
