When the sun's rays strike at an angle, as in the winter, the temperature is lower. This is because the rays are spread over a larger area and can't provide as much heat. In the winter, the sun's rays have to pass through more of the Earth's atmosphere. When the sun's rays strike the Earth nearly straight down, as in summer, the energy is more concentrated and the temperature goes up. In the summer, the rays have fewer miles of atmosphere to pass through.
Many students believe the Earth is closer to the Sun in the summer and farther away in the winter.
The Earth is actually closer to the sun in the winter. The angle of the sun s rays determines the seasons not the distance to the sun. This activity helps to demonstrate how the earth and sun may appear from a view in space. Make an X in the center of the paper. This X will represent our Earth.