Ch 11: The Earth-Sun Relationship
About This Chapter
The Earth-Sun Relationship - Chapter Summary
If your middle-schooler has been studying geography in class or would like to learn more about the solar system, these short, entertaining videos are a great resource. In these lessons, students examine the theories of Earth's formation, learn about how the tilt of the Earth and its position around the sun affects the climate, and discover our place in the universe. Use the lesson quizzes to see how well your student understands the concepts and help him or her prepare for class exams.
Chapter Lessons and Objectives
| Video | Objectives |
|---|---|
| Formation of the Earth: Theories | Lesson describes the theories of our planet's formation. |
| Earth's Location in the Solar System | Students explore the solar system and the order of the planets. |
| Earth's Axial Tilt & Orbit Around the Sun | Lesson explains how the tilt of the Earth affects the seasons. |
| Geography of the Four Seasons | Students examine the season changes and the factors that influence them. |
| Why the Sun Changes Color | Video illustrates the processes that make the sun appear to change colors. |
| The Sun's Path Through the Local Sky | Students learn about our place in the Milky Way. |
| Using the Sun & Stars to Determine Latitude & Longitude | Lesson introduces the principles of star navigation. |
| The Sun's Angle & Movement | Students consider the angle and movement of the sun. |
| The Equator, the Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn: Association with Earth-Sun Geometry | Students explore the more temperate regions where seasons are not as distinct. |
1. Formation of the Earth: Theories
The planet Earth has over 4 billion years of existence and its existence derives from interstellar dust and gas. Explore the theories that explain how the planet Earth was formed, including how it differentiated into three layers, how it formed its atmosphere, water, and land features, and how it continues to evolve today.
2. Earth's Location in the Solar System
Our solar system, galaxy, and universe can all be mapped, despite their vast complexity. Learn about Earth's location in the solar system, and explore details of how the Milky Way, galaxies, clusters, and even the 'center of the universe' are mapped.
3. Earth's Axial Tilt & Orbit Around the Sun
The Earth's axial tilt exists as the planet's spin is not aligned with the travel of orbit. Learn how the Earth orbits the sun, and the details of orbital plane & eccentricity, and the axial tilt and precession.
4. Geography of the Four Seasons
The geography of the four seasons is affected by the earth's rotation. Learn about the differences in seasons as affected by the earth's axis and rotation, and examine the earth's solstice between hemispheres.
5. Why the Sun Changes Color
The sun changes color based on our perception and the position of the sun at a given time. Explore the changing colors of the sun, wavelengths of light, and how they determine color, prisms, and the setting sun.
6. The Sun's Path Through the Local Sky
Every day, the sun appears to travel east to west across the sky before making its descent. Explore the sun's path through the local skies of locations around latitude 40 degrees north, the North Pole, the South Pole, and the Equator.
7. Using the Sun & Stars to Determine Latitude & Longitude
Because of their consistent positions and movement across the sky, the sun and stars are useful tools for determining location. Learn how the sun and stars can be used to determine one's latitude and longitude at any time of day.
8. The Sun's Angle & Movement
Our seasons and daylight hours are influenced by the Sun's position at any given time. Discover how the Sun's angle and movement affect seasons, the length of days, and both the Southern and Northern hemispheres.
9. The Equator, the Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn: Association with Earth-Sun Geometry
As people all across the world are unique, so too are the locations of people, places, and things. Learn how longitude and latitude are used to measure distance on Earth and the location of the Equator and tropics.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Geography: Middle School course
- Introduction to Geography
- Tools Used in Geography
- Earth's Spheres and Internal Structure
- Plate Tectonics
- Minerals and Rocks
- Weathering and Erosion
- Rock Deformation and Mountain Building
- Ground Water
- Running Bodies of Water
- Glaciers
- Solar Radiation & Energy
- Global Temperature Patterns & The Atmosphere
- Climate
- Atmospheric Pressure and Wind
- Atmospheric, Weather & Wind Patterns
- Atmospheric Moisture, Precipitation & Clouds
- Weather Events
- Geomorphology of Arid Regions
- Oceans & Coasts
- Geologic Time
- The Origin and Dispersal of Humans and Culture
- The Impact of Geography on Language & Culture
- The Environment & Human Populations
- The Domestication of Plants & Animals
- The Global Distribution & Characteristics of Soil
- Geography of Land Resources
- Human Movement & Spatial Processes
- Types of Human Settlements
- Ethnicity & Geography
- Modern Economic Systems
- The Economy & Geography
- Political Geography
- Impact of Humans on the Environment
- Renewable Resources
- Nonrenewable Resources
- Environmental Sustainability
- Food and Agriculture
- Solid and Hazardous Waste
- Environmental Risk Analysis
- Ethical and Political Processes of the Environment
- Understanding Geography Using Maps
- The Impact of Religion on Geography
- Early Human Civilizations
- World Conflicts & Geography
- Geography of North America
- Geography of the U.S.
- Geography of Canada
- Geography of the Caribbean & Central & South America
- Geography of Europe
- Geography of Africa & the Middle East
- Geography of South Asia
- Geography of China, Japan & the Koreas
- Geography of Russia & Central Asia
- Geography of Australia & the Pacific Islands