Use this sentence: Earth is closest to the sun in January when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question

How is this possible?

(1 point)
Responses

The sun is heating the Northern Hemisphere more in winter, but it takes awhile for it to heat up.
The sun is heating the Northern Hemisphere more in winter, but it takes awhile for it to heat up.

The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.
The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.

It heats up to a higher temperature during the day, but it still ends up colder because the days are shorter.
It heats up to a higher temperature during the day, but it still ends up colder because the days are shorter.

The sun is smaller during the winter months.

Answer 1

The most accurate response to the question "How is this possible?" regarding the statement that "Earth is closest to the sun in January when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere" is:

The angle at which the sun strikes Earth is more important than the distance.

This is because the seasons are primarily caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis, rather than its distance from the sun. During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the tilt causes the sun's rays to strike at a more oblique angle, resulting in less direct sunlight and cooler temperatures, despite the Earth being at its closest point (perihelion) to the sun.