Science Discussion and Topic

Module 8 discusses a shining, shimmering splended light

in the sky. So, before we discuss our topic, we have them

complete a pre-test that we have prepared for them in order
to assess their understanding of our lecture. Many kids, it
turned out, passed. I let them see a video clip of our topic
after they completed the pre-test.
Following that, I highlighted how the motion of the sun

changes with the seasons, with the Northern Hemisphere
experiencing summer and the Southern Hemisphere
experiencing winter. The Northern Hemisphere receives
more direct sunlight, whereas the Southern Hemisphere
receives more indirect sunlight. Seasons are weather
fluctuations caused by the tilt of the Earth and the amount
of sunlight available. Certain sections of the world are more
directly exposed to the sun’s rays at different times of the
year. Temperate regions have four seasons: spring,
summer, autumn, and winter. In addition, the Philippines
has two seasons: wet and dry. Direct rays that strike the
Earth at 90 degrees absorb more solar energy, resulting in
warmer seasons in the tropics. Direct rays alter as the
Earth spins around the Sun, causing seasons to vary.
And the warm season in the tropics is caused by the sun’s

rays directly striking the ground. The sun and moon will be
directly overhead for an observer. The chilly season is
caused by the sun’s rays hitting the earth at a lower angle.
The sun will not be exactly above an observer at midday; it
will be lower in the sky.
I also choose a student who want to read a piece that they

should remember, when the sun is directly overhead or at
90 degrees from the horizon, the incoming radiation
reaches the earth’s surface at straight angles and is the
most intense. The incoming insulation strikes the earth’s
surface at an angle if the sun is 45 degrees above the
horizon. This spreads the racing over a broader surface
area, lowering the intensity of radiation.
I was meant to let them do a group activity, but I didn’t

have enough time, so I had them take a quiz that I just only
stated because I didn’t have time to post it on the board.
Fortunately, many pupils passed, some didn’t.
THE TOPIC
What is It
In our country, you may have noticed that it is usually

hottest during noon. You may also have observed that it
is cooler during early hours of the morning and the
hours just before sunset. During these times, the sun’s
rays reach Earth’s surface at an angle, causing the
relatively cooler temperature. But as the weeks and
months pass, you’ll notice that the sun’s motion isn’t
quite the same as that of other stars. For one thing, the
sun takes a full 24 hours to make a complete circle
around the celestial sphere based on the apparent daily
motion. For obvious reasons, we define our day based
on the motion of the sun. Moreover, the location of the
sun’s path across the sky varies with the seasons. But
can you explain why there are seasons? Do you know
why the seasons change?
In June, the Northern Hemisphere will receive more direct
rays from the sun
(Figure 2). Therefore, it is summer in the Northern
Hemisphere at this time. While, in
December, the North Pole will be pointing away from the
Sun (Figure 3), and the Southern Hemisphere will
receive more direct rays from the sun. The Northern
Hemisphere will then experience a time of cold
temperature. For temperate countries in the Northern
Hemisphere, it will be winter. In tropical countries like
Philippines, it is simply a cold season.
The varying amounts of sunlight the Earth receives

during different times of the year creates the seasons.
Seasons are the weather changes due to varied
amounts of sunlight caused by the tilt of the Earth’s
axis. Thus, at certain times of the year, one part of the
planet is more directly exposed to the sun’s rays than
the other parts.
Temperate countries found between 23.5° North
and South latitudes, and between 66.5° North and
South latitudes experience the four seasons- spring,
summer, autumn, and winter. However, the Philippines
is a tropical country having two seasons- rainy and dry
that’s why we do not experience winter season at all.
Illustrated by: Cherry Mae B. Candelario
Figure 4. Different seasons on Earth (with reference to the
Northern Hemisphere): (a) summer, (b) autumnal equinox, (c)
winter, and (d) spring or vernal equinox.
During different seasons, the angle at which the sun’s rays

hit the Earth varies. “Direct rays” means that the rays of
the Sun hit the ground at 90°. The rays are vertical or
perpendicular to the ground. When the Sun’s rays strike
the ground at a high angle, each square meter of the
ground receives a greater amount of solar energy than
when the rays are inclined. This results to more heat being
absorbed by the Earth’s surface.
In the tropics, the warm season is due to the Sun’s

rays hitting the ground directly. To an observer, the
position of the Sun at noon will be exactly overhead.
On the other hand, when the
Sun’s rays come in at an angle,
each square meter of the
ground will receive a lesser
amount of solar energy. That’s
because at lower angles, solar
energy will be distributed over
wider area. The place will then
experience lower temperatures.
After another six months,

in June of the following year, direct rays
the Earth will have made one

full trip around the Sun. The ˅ ˅ ˅ ˅
Sun’s direct rays will fall on the
Northern Hemisphere once high angle
more. It will be warm in the
Northern Hemisphere and cold
in the Southern Hemisphere all
over again. Thus, the seasons
change because the direct rays Illustrated by: Cherry Mae B. Candelario
Figure 5 . In the tropics, the

of the Sun shift from one warm season is due to the Sun’s
hemisphere to the other as the rays hitting the ground dire ctly.
To an observer, the position of the
Earth goes around the Sun.
Sun at noon will be exactly
overhead.
oblique rays
Figure 6 . The cold season is the

lower angle result of the Sun’s rays striking
the ground at a lower angle. To
an observer, the Sun at midday
will not be directly above; it will
be lower in the sky.
If the Sun is positioned directly overhead or at 90 degrees
from the horizon, the incoming insolation strikes the
surface of the Earth at right angles and is most intense. If
the Sun is at 45 degrees above the horizon, the incoming
insolation strikes the Earth’s surface at an angle. This
causes the rays to be spread over a larger surface area
reducing the intensity of radiation.

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Module 8 discusses a shining, shimmering splended light

in the sky. So, before we discuss our topic, we have them

Following that, I highlighted how the motion of the sun

And the warm season in the tropics is caused by the sun’s

I also choose a student who want to read a piece that they

I was meant to let them do a group activity, but I didn’t

In our country, you may have noticed that it is usually

The varying amounts of sunlight the Earth receives

During different seasons, the angle at which the sun’s rays

In the tropics, the warm season is due to the Sun’s

After another six months,

the Earth will have made one

Figure 5 . In the tropics, the

Figure 6 . The cold season is the

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