Determining what causes the seasons is not as straightforward as determining what causes day and night. We can begin by suggesti
ng hypotheses and then testing them for their validity. Let’s start with the hypothesis that the seasons are caused by a variable distance between the Earth and the Sun. Sort the observations or physical laws below according to whether they argue for or against this hypothesis. a. Closer light source has stronger intensity.
b. Earth's closest approach to Sun is in January.
c. Earth's orbit is elliptical.
d. S and N hemispheres have opposite seasons
Considering that the star is less massive than the sun, the smaller mass of the star would provide a less strong force of gravity at any distance, and consequently a lower orbital speed. Thus, the year of the planet would be longer than that of the Earth.
