Which imagine accurately depicts the position of December 15?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: The prompt asks which imagine accurately depicts the position of December 15, given four diagram options A, B, C, and D.

Option A analysis: In diagram A, the orientation shows the Earth tilted so that the Sun's rays strike the hemispheres in a manner consistent with December in the mid-late autumn to early winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The axis tilt aligns with the typical seasonal geometry around December, producing a relatively lower Sun in the sky for the Northern Hemisphere and longer shadows, which matches the expected solar position around December 15. This depiction also positions the poles in a way that reflects the Earth’s tilt relative to the Sun during that time of year.

Option B analysis: Diagram B places the Sun’s rays and the tilt in a configuration that would imply a different solar declination than December 15, potentially showing the Northern Hemisphere receiving more direct sunlight than is accurate for mid-December. The pole orientation or ray angle here contradicts the expected solar geometry for this date.

Option C analysis: In diagram C, the shading and labeling (e.g., pole positions and sunray directions) appear inconsistent with December mid-month conditions, likely representing a different season or an incorrect tilt relative to the Sun. This makes it an inaccurate depiction for December 15.

Option D analysis: Diagram D suggests a tilt and Sun-ray direction that do not align with the real solar declination around mid-December. The orientation likely corresponds to another date or season, not December 15, making it incorrect.

Why option A is correct (conceptual reasoning): December 15 falls in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, when the axis is tilted away from the Sun. The Sun’s declination is negative (south of the equator), resulting in the Sun’s rays hitting the Earth at a lower angle in the NH and shorter daylight hours. Diagram A best captures this geometry, with the tilt and Sun-ray direction consistent with the expected axial tilt and solar position for mid-December.

Why the others are incorrect (common misconceptions):
- B: May imply a more northern solar declination or an orientation opposite to the actual tilt for December, misplacing the Sun’s rays relative to the equator and poles.
- C: Likely shows a configuration that corresponds to a different season or a misaligned tilt, not matching December’s hemispheric insolation pattern.
- D: Probably presents a tilt or ray direction corresponding to another time of year (e.g., a different solstice or equinox), thus not representing December 15 accurately.

In summary, A aligns with the known geometry of Earth’s tilt and the Sun’s position around December 15, while B, C, and D depict configurations that would correspond to other dates or seasons.

Earth & Environmental Science 2025-26 4.2 Module 2-3 Assessment Honor Lock -S- (60 Minutes ASYNC)

Which imagine accurately depicts the position of December 15?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

What effect, if any, does the 23.5 degree tilt have on our experience on earth?

When the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, it is:

When it is Summer in the Southern Hemisphere:

Which location best represents the Northern Hemisphere experiencing winter? Why?

Which statement concerning summer in the northern hemisphere is false?

Seasonal variations in temperature are due primarily to which two orbital factors?

What happens to the Northern hemisphere we approach December 21st?

Autumn's dates range between:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler