Question

Cause of the Seasons. Suppose a friend is trying to claim that it is summer when Earth is closest to the Sun and winter when Earth is farthest away. Refute this claim in at least two different ways: (1) with an argument that invokes seasonal differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and (2) with an argument based on the times of year at which Earth actually is closest to and farthest from the Sun. Write out your arguments clearly

Answer 1

Answer:

The claim is false and can be refuted

Explanation:

1) This claim is false, that there is summer when Earth is closest to the sun and winter when the Earth is farthest from the sun.

If it is so, than why seasons are Opposite in two hemispheres. It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, when it is winter in the southern hemisphere. Alternatively it is Winter in the northern hemisphere, while it is summer in the southern hemisphere.

If the seasons occured due to the distance from, sun, then it should be same season in both the hemispheres, when Earth is farthest and closest from the Sun. Why are seasons different in both hemispheres. So this claim is false.

2) This claim is false, because actually Earth is closest to the Sun on January 3-4, when it is Winter in Northern Hemisphere and summer in Southern hemisphere. So why it is not Summer in both hemispheres, since the Earth is closest to the Sun.

Earth is farthest from the Sun on July 4, which is actually summer in Northern Hemisphere and winter in Southern hemisphere. So why is it not winter in both the hemispheres, since the Earth is Farthest from the Sun.

Hence based on these two arguments, the claim is false and can be refuted.