Question

1. base your answer to the following question on the diagram below, which represents an exaggerated view of earth revolving around the sun. letters a, b, c, and d represent earths location in its orbit on the first day of each of the four seasons.

which location in earths orbit represents the last day of winter and the first day of spring for an observer in new york?
(1) d (2) a (3) b (4) c

1. if the tilt of earths axis were increased from 23.5° to 30°, summers in new york state would become

(1) cooler, and winters would become cooler
(2) warmer, and winters would become warmer
(3) cooler, and winters would become warmer
(4) warmer, and winters would become cooler

1. earths approximate rate of revolution is approximately

(1) 15° per month (3) 30° per month
(2) 45° per month (4) 360° per month

Explanation:

1. The last day of winter and first day of spring is the vernal equinox. In standard seasonal orbit diagrams, position A typically represents the vernal equinox for the Northern Hemisphere (where New York is located).
2. Increasing Earth’s axial tilt enhances seasonal extremes: summers in the Northern Hemisphere receive more direct sunlight (warmer), winters receive less (cooler).
3. Earth completes a 360° revolution around the Sun in ~12 months, so the monthly rate is \( \frac{360^\circ}{12} = 30^\circ \) per month.

Answer:

1. (2) A
2. (4) warmer, and winters would become cooler
3. (3) 30° per month