Ferris Wheel Earth

• Stephen W. Hughes ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Queensland

     University of Queensland

     Australia

     
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 62, Nº. 7, 2024, págs. 606-608
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Earth’s axis of rotation is oriented at 23.4° to the ecliptic, which is the plane of the orbit of Earth around the Sun. While Earth orbits the Sun in approximately circular translation, the orientation of the axis of rotation of Earth is essentially constant throughout the year, with only a very small change due to the precession of the equinoxes. The constant orientation of Earth’s rotation axis relative to the plane of Earth’s orbit gives rise to the seasons. This paper describes a practical idea for teaching students about the constancy of the inclination of Earth’s axis and its importance in relation to the seasons.