What is true about the rays of light during summer?

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Dive into the AST2002 Astronomy Midterm at UCF. Enhance your understanding through engaging flashcards and insightful multiple-choice questions. Prepare effectively and boost your confidence for this academic challenge!

During summer, the rays of light from the Sun strike the ground more directly due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. This means that the angle at which sunlight enters the atmosphere is more perpendicular as compared to other seasons, resulting in a greater concentration of energy on a smaller surface area. This increased intensity of sunlight is one of the reasons why temperatures are generally warmer during this season.

The directness of sunlight is influenced by the Earth's axial tilt of about 23.5 degrees. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summer, leading to more direct sunlight. In contrast, during winter, the Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun, resulting in less direct sunlight and cooler temperatures. Understanding this concept is fundamental to grasping how Earth's seasons work and how solar energy is distributed across the planet throughout the year.