Physics 210 Puzzle

As you studied in Chapter 3, the seasons on the Earth are caused by the fact that the Earth's own axis of rotation is at an angle of 23.5^o relative to the axis of revolution about the sun. But the Earth's spherical shape is equally responsible.

Consider an imaginary case of a cylindrical planet called Cylindria. (In reality, a cylinder the size of the earth would collapse into a sphere under its own weight. That's why all the planets are essentially spherical. But that's another course.) Cylindria still rotates about its own axis every 24 hours. The axis stays at 23.5^o relative to the axis of revolution about the sun. The "top" end is the north pole while the "bottom" end is the south pole, which are arbitrary assignments, just as it is for the earth.

Look at the angles and think carefully about the questions below. It might help if you walked outside around sunrise or sunset with any cylinder, such as a paper towel roll, and observed how the sun's rays strike it.

The size of Cylindria has been greatly exaggerated for clarity.

1. Consider the position to the right, which is called the "Southsun" season by the Cylindrians. Will the length of day in the northern region be shorter, longer, or the same as in the southern region?

2. Will the climate during the Northsun season (to the left) be colder, warmer, or the same as during the Southsun season?

3. Will there be just 1 season (all the same), 2 distinct seasons, or will there be 4 distinct seasons?

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